Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Albert Ernest Clifton Lund was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894, he was the youngest of 7 children, 4 sons, 2 daughters, 1 gender unknown deceased. His parents were born in 1853 and 1851 respectively in Yorkshire. Father Pearson Lund native of Bingley, married Annie Elizabeth Pickles of Shipley at Knightley, Staffordshire in 1877. They remained there, living at 26, Pitt Street, with their children James (3) and John (1), Pearson was employed as a mechanic in a tool making shop whilst Annie was a grocer. They left Yorkshire for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, between 1881 and 1887 where their daughters Annie Florence, Edith May and son Fred were born before moving to 5, Belgrave Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, where both Pearson and son James William were employed as tool makers to support wife Annie, daughters Annie, Edith and sons Fred and Albert. In the census of 1911 they are still at Belgrave Terrace, Albert (16) is listed as a student, his father as the proprietor of his tool making shop assisted by Fred a draughtsman/tool maker, Edith (19) was also still living at home. Annie Elizabeth Lund nee Pickles died in 1913 aged 61 years and Pearson Lund aged 63 years in 1915, both registered at Gateshead.
At some point Albert attended Barnard Castle School.
On the outbreak of war Albert was 20 years old and living in the coastal town of Whitley Bay. He enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne assigned as Private PS/8409 Royal Fusiliers London Regiment, 18th (1st Public School) Battalion. After initial training they joined the 98th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp, near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. Moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training and firing practice, the main body of men left for France in November 1915 concentrating near Morbecque, where they transferred to the 19th Brigade, 33rd Division.
Private Lund did not join them in the field until 1916 and when they were disbanded April 24th some of the men were offered commissions, however, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers London Regiment which upon its return from Egypt had been sent to the Western Front attached to the 86th Brigade, 29th Division. As of March 1916 they spent their time in the area north of the Ancre river, near the German held village of Beaumont Hamel. For the next 3 months their time was spent digging trenches and training behind the lines in preparation for the large British offensive against the German lines planned for the end of June. Following 7 days of artillery bombardment of the German front and rear areas the 29th Division attacked in the early hours of July 1st 1916 after the explosion of the huge Hawthorn mine to the left of their position.
During the attack Private PS/8409 Albert Ernest Clifton Lund was killed in action July 1st 1916 and buried on the battlefield. When Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No.2, Auchonvillers, Somme France, was made by the V Corps in the spring of 1917 his body was brought in for internment, grave B. 7. At the time of his demise he was 22 years old and single.
All monies due to Albert from the Army were at his request assigned to his brothers James William and Frederick Pearson Lund.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/8/1916:
"Albert E.C. Lund, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action on 1st July. Youngest son of the late Pearson Lund of Felling."
Albert Ernest Clifton Lund, is remembered at Barnard Castle School B135.20 and at Windy Nook on W95.02
