Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William, true surname Imeson, was the youngest of 2 sons and a daughter, offspring of unmarried mother Jane Imerson, born 1858 at Grewelthorpe, Yorkshire, and baptised February 12th 1860, daughter of James Imerson and Elizabeth Prest.
After the death of her father James in 1884 aged 42 years, she and her 2 children James born 1876 and Lily 1881, continued living with her mother at Grewelthorpe. Her mother Elizabeth was employed as a char-woman, Jane worked from home as a dressmaker, William was born in 1884. Jane Imeson married in the district of Ripon, Yorkshire in 1889 to James Holdsworth a local joiner, born 1843 and 15 years her senior.
In search of work James migrated to the north east taking Jane with him but leaving his step son behind in Yorkshire. James Imeson (25) in 1901 was an inmate at the York Union Workhouse, Huntington Road, York, he had found work as a general labourer. Lillie (20) was a general servant at the Union Club, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, details as regards Willie (18) are unknown.
James Holdsworth found work at Boldon Colliery as a joiner and cartwright, he and his wife lived in the village at Hedworth Lane.
James Holdsworth died in 1910 aged 67 years, registered in the district of South Shields. In 1911, Jane, who had been joined by Willie (28), moved into 3 rooms at 2, Hedworth Lane, he supported her employed as a blacksmith’s striker at the colliery. To supplement the family income, they had taken in a lodger, coal miner Thomas Usher, also in the household was 8-year old Frances Sutin described as a friend.
In the 1911 census entry shows William had adopted the surname Holdsworth. He enlisted as William Holdsworth at South Shields assigned as Private 2820 Royal Army Service Corps and departed to France January 5th 1915. The roll of the R.A.S.C. was the transportation of men, ammunition, equipment and food using any means at their disposal, using horse and motor vehicles, railways and waterways. Whilst at the front he was transferred August 17th 1915 to the Royal Field Artillery “D” Battery 78th Brigade as a Gunner with a new service number 90810. The 78th Brigade R.F.A. was under the command of the 17th (Northern) Division and had been re-organised in January 1915 to become the four-gun batteries A, B, C and D.
On May 20th 1916 D Battery left to join the 81st Brigade as its A Battery. Attached to the 17th Northern Division in 1916 the R.F.A. was involved during the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th and the Battle of Delville Wood, July 15th-September 3rd, both phases of the Battles of the Somme.
In 1917 they were in action during the Arras Offensive at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, April 9th-May 4th, involved in heavy fighting at Roeux Wood before leaving France and moving to Belgium for the commencement of the First and Second Battles of Passchendaele, phases of the Third Battle of Ypres, July 31st-November 10th 1917.
Gunner 90810 William Holdsworth was killed in action, October 14th 1917 and interred at Solferino Farm Cemetery, grave I. A. 24. He was 33 years of age.
The Register of Soldiers Effects lists his sole beneficiary as his widow Isabella, no such marriage has been found and the details are also refuted by William’s Pension Record which states all monies due to him were paid to his mother Jane Holdsworth of 3, Glay’s Buildings, Boldon Colliery, County Durham, she also received his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Jane was awarded a pension of 12 shillings 6 pence a week as of October 10th 1919 to November 15th 1920, the same as of November 16th 1920 to November 14th 1921, increased to 13 shillings 6 pence November 15th 1921 to May 15th 1922 and increased to 16 shilling as of May 16th 1922 until last entry November 12th 1923.
Details as regards the demise of Jane Holdsworth nee Imeson, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Holdsworth is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
