Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/05/1917
Loos Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Norman C Hindmarsh was born at Wallsend, Northumberland in 1888, one of 6 children he was the eldest of 3 sons and had 3 elder sisters. His father James Hall Hindmarsh born at East Boldon, near South Shields, Northumberland in 1855 was married in 1881 to Mary Ann Whitfield at Bishop Auckland where she was born in 1858. Newly married they lived at 14, Hopper’s Brick Road, Newbottle, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne where James was employed as a mineral water bottler. He was working as a coal miner by 1891, now living at Killingworth Village, Long Benton with his wife and 5 children, living with them were his two brothers Robert (28) and William (22) also employed as miners. By 1901 their eldest daughter Jane Elizabeth (19) was a qualified school teacher, Sarah (18) was employed as a knitting machinist, Norman now aged 13 was a screener above ground at the colliery, his father worked below ground as a hewer.
Norman was married July 10th 1910 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham to Margaret Jane McDonald who was born there in 1892. They settled in one room at 22, Crowhall Lane where their first born child Elizabeth Ann was born November 22nd 1910, followed by Annie born March 1st 1913 and Norman Jnr born March 24th 1916.
On the outbreak of war Norman left his employment as a miner and enlisted at Felling, August 24th 1914, attested for 3 years or the duration of war he was assigned as Private 12994 Durham Light Infantry. He joined the Regiment at South Shields attached to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion part of the Tyne Garrison and also a training unit for service overseas and the retraining of men recovering from ill-health or wounds. October 26th 1914 he was posted to the 16th Battalion and came under the orders of the 89th Brigade, 30th Division still in training. October 8th 1915 he was transferred to the 14th Battalion, 64th Brigade, 21st Division before departing with the British Expeditionary Force for France.
November 28th 1915 whilst in the field the 14th Battalion transferred to the 18th Brigade attached to the 6th Division. During 1916 they saw action on the Somme at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd.
Private 12994 Norman C. Hindmarsh was killed in action April 24th 1917 in the sector from the River Lys to east and west of Grenay. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 20,000 names of officers and men inscribed on the Loos Memorial which forms the backdrop to Dud Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, commemorating those who died in the sector from the first day of the Battle of Loos, September 26th 1915, to the end of the war and who have no known grave. Private Hindmarsh was 29 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at Havelock Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Margaret Jane Hindmarsh remarried during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1920 to Thomas Lumley born 1896, in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, their only son Thomas R Lumley was also born in 1920.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/05/1917 reports:
"Private Norman Hindmarsh, D.L.I., killed in action, 23rd April. Husband of Margaret Hindmarsh, 46 Havelock Street, Felling."
Norman Hindmarsh is remembered at Heworth on H92.04 and H92.07
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 92
