Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Edward Saynor born at Felling in 1886 was my grandmother’s first cousin, the eldest of two boys born to Mary Hannah Goodfellow (September 3rd 1865, Felling - January 12th 1947, Felling) and her second husband Richard Saynor (1854 Leeds - 1929 Gateshead.) His father Richard worked as a hewer at Heworth Colliery and Edward also as a quarryman. The family were living at 24, Havelock Street, Felling.
Edward first enlisted as Gunner 2705 “X” 50th TM Bty R.F.A. The 10th Trench Mortar Battery were assigned to the 50th Division of the Royal Field Artillery. They used horse drawn guns of medium capacity as they were involved close to the enemy line and there was a risk of shelling the British troops in the trenches. The 50th Northumbrian Division was made up entirely of volunteers and as such was a Territorial Force in peacetime. All units of the R.F.A. and R.H.A. were mobilised for full time service on August 5th 1914 and allocated to the Tyne Defences by mid August. On April 16th 1917 the unit was warned it would be sent abroad and by April 23rd was concentrated around Steenvoode, Belgium. It had arrived just as the German army attacked nearby Ypres, using gas for the first time, and the unit was rushed into battle; it was then moved south to France. It remained in France, taking part in all the major battles against the Germans, but suffered heavy casualties and was exhausted. The infantry was replaced and Edward was assigned a new serial number, 760969.
Gunner 760969 Edward Saynor Royal Field Artillery, taken as a prisoner of war, died of wounds on May 27th 1918 and is interred at St. Erme Communal Cemetery Extension, grave B 23. The cemetery is a hidden one and can be accessed by a 300 meter long track that weaves amongst the houses. St. Erme is a small village 30 kilometres from Rheims. Edward was 32 years old and single.
As his sole beneficiary his mother Mary Hannah received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His name was recorded on a plaque at Heworth Colliery and is on a marble plaque within Heworth St Mary's Church listed in error as A. Saynor and I applied for his name to be included on the supplementary list of the Gateshead Roll of Honour which was accepted in November 2014.
His mother Mary Hannah Saynor-Potts nee Goodfellow died January 12th 1947 and was buried at St. Mary’s, Heworth, on January 15th. His father Richard Saynor died in 1929 in Gateshead. His full blood brother Matthew Saynor married Alice Weighell, April 2nd 1946. Matthew died December 5th 1960.
Remembered with immense pride. In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Saynor is remembered at Felling on F32.23 at Heworth on H92.03 as A. Saynor H92.04 and H92.07 and at Gateshead on G39.123
