Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Suggett was born 1899 at Norham, Northumberland, one of 4 children of whom only 3 survived, 2 sons and 1 daughter, born to Mark Suggett native of Whitworth, County Durham, born 1870 and his wife Elizabeth Cairus born at Norham-on-Tweed, Northumberland, whom he married in the district of Durham in 1895. Mark Suggest was a coal miner labouring below ground living and working firstly at St John’s Street then later in 1911 at 12 First Street, Heworth, Gateshead where he then worked as a horse keeper underground at Heworth Colliery. His brother William who was 15 years old was employed as a clerk to an estate agent, George was a scholar. After leaving school George worked at the Fanny Pit at Sheriff Hill.
George’s military record no longer exists however due to his age he could not have enlisted until 1917 and would not have been sent overseas until 1918. George was a Private in the Regular Army with the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. His regiment attached to the 51st Brigade, 17th Indian Division after it’s return from the front in France had departed for Mesopotamia in September 1917, when he was old enough he was transferred to join them. The 1st Battalion was involved, October 1918, at the Battle of Sharqat, the British army capturing almost the entire Ottoman force. British forces remained in the sector of Mesopotamia even after the Armistice was signed November 14th 1918, five days later than that in Europe and 15 days after the Armistice of Mundros, October 30th.
Private 37686 George Suggett died at Baghdad General Hospital, Mesopotamia (Iraq) January 29th 1919, cause unknown and was interred at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, grave I. C. 8. Recipient of the British War Medal And Victory Medal.
His elder brother William Suggett also served and perished on active service in France, July 7th 1917.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Suggett is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and H92.08
