Photo: Dorothy Hall
Photo: Dorothy Hall
Photo: Dorothy Hall
In Lamesley Churchyard is a headstone which reads:-
Front
In loving memory
Of
Henry
The dearly beloved husband of
Priscilla (Cilla) Higgins
Who died at Allen House Scotswood
May 11th 1916 aged 44 years
Right hand side
Also
Of my dear
Father
Thomas Middleton
Who died at Kibblesworth
Oct. 27th 1902 aged 60 years
Left hand side
And
Of my dear
youngest brother
William Fenwick
who fell in action in France
October 15th 1916 aged 22 years
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
William was born at Kibblesworth the son of Thomas (coal miner) and his wife Mary Ann (nee Scott). He had several brothers and sisters of whom he was the youngest. These included Ralph 1871, Priscilla 1874, Thomas 1876, Mary 1877, Annie 1882, Margaret Armstrong 1884, Ada 1890, John 1892 followed by William Fenwick 1895.
In 1911 the family with widow Mary Ann as Head were living at The Square Kibblesworth. Thomas (Deputy), Margaret (Teacher at the local school), John (Putter) and William (Driver) Ada has no occupation. Mary Ann states on the census form that she has had 16 children of whom eight are dead.
William enlisted at Gateshead and joined the 2nd Durham Light Infantry. He was later killed in action on the Somme 15th October 1916.
Kibblesworth School Log Book 1916 records that Miss Middleton had gone home as news of the death of her brother had reached the village.
William was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
William Middleton is remembered at Kibblesworth on K23.01 and K23.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 285
