Redheugh Gas Works
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Sweeney born at Gateshead, County Durham, one of 10 children, born to Robert Sweeney and Patience Ball, the 3rd born of 5 sons, he had 1 elder half-sister, 2 elder and 3 younger full blood sisters. His father Robert born in 1856 at Barnard Castle, Yorkshire was brought by his parents to Newcastle-upon-Tyne by 1863 and finally to Gateshead, County Durham by 1871 where his family lived at Oakwellgate, a street leading down to the River Tyne mainly inhabited by Irish immigrants like his father, Robert Snr who was employed as a labourer.
Robert was married in 1876 to Alice Rebecca Elliot with whom he had a daughter Margaret, named after his mother, born the following year. After the death of his wife he remarried in 1890, Patience Ball, native of Leeds born 1871, settling at 23, Amberley Street where daughter Mary Patience was born in 1891. He was employed as a gas worker, daughter Margaret (14) worked at the ropery. By 1911 they were living at 51, Watson Street, Teams, their family now complete. Robert was still employed at Redheugh Gas Works, Mary Patience (21) helped her mother with domestic chores eldest son Robert Jnr (19) worked as a coal miner/putter, Susannah (17) at the ropery, Joseph (15), Richard (13) and Frances (11) were scholars, George (8), Florence May (5), Elizabeth (3) and Benjamin (1 month) remained at home with their mother.
Richard was 16/17 years of age when war broke out in 1914, still too young to enlist neither had he reached the qualifying age of 19 years for service overseas. He enlisted at Gateshead October 20th 1915 telling an untruth as regards his age and was assigned as Private 5097 to the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Territorial Force. The 9th Battalion had HQs in the Gateshead, Felling, Blaydon, Chopwell and West Ryton areas. Transferred November 16th 1916 he joined the 3rd/9th Battalion where he trained for active service destined to be drafted to the 9th Battalion on the Western Front. He departed via Southampton June 3rd 1916 arriving at Le Havre the following day, after a period of trench familiarisation he joined his battalion in the field June 26th 1916 attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in the trenches on the Ypres salient in Belgium where they remained until August 1916 when they moved south to the Somme.
In September and October 1916 they attacked towards Starfish Line, north of High Wood and the Flers Line at Eaucort l’Abbaye. Private 5097 Richard Sweeney was reported as missing September 16th 1916 and next of kin informed. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts it was concluded that he was presumed to have died on or since September 16th 1916.
The family received official notification in August 1917 when this report was in the Newcastle Journal:-Mr and Mrs Sweeney 51 Watson Street Teams Gateshead have received word that their son Private Richard Sweeney missing since September 16th is now presumed killed in action.
After Armistice Richard's body was amongst those found on the battlefield and between December 4th 1920 and July 7th 1921, exhumed along with many others. His remains were brought into Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France for reburial grave VIII. B. 29. At the time of his demise in 1916 he was 18 years of age and single, despite having declared at his enlistment in 1915 to be 18 years and 6 months of age.
His father Robert received all monies due to him, his mother the British War Medal, Victory Medal and his disc, the only person item recovered sent to her at 51, Wilson Street, Gateshead, County Durham.
Richard’s eldest brother Robert Sweeney also served, he died of wounds as a prisoner of war leaving a wife and child only 2 years of age.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Robert Sweeney Snr died in 1922 aged 66 years, Patience Sweeney nee Ball aged 85 years in 1956, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Richard Sweeney is remembered at Redheugh on R43.01 and at Teams on T68.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 249
