Tyne Cot Memorial
Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Porteous was the only son of John Porteous and widow Sarah McGee nee McMullen, both Irish immigrants born in 1858 and 1853 respectively. His mother was first married at Gateshead, County Durham, in 1872 to Michael McGee born in Ireland in 1851, he was employed as a chemical worker at the Allhusen Works, South Shore, Saltmeadows, Gateshead. In 1881 they were living at Allhusen Village with their infant daughter Mary Ann, 2 years of age, who unfortunately died at the age of 13 in 1885. They had 3 other children Rose Ann born 1884, John 1886 and Sarah 1889. Although Michael was still employed as a chemical worker by 1891 they had moved to 38, Towns Street, Saltmeadows, also in their household, living as a boarder was chemical worker John Porteous. It would appear that the marriage of Michael and Sarah ended in separation as she and John were living as man and wife with their children Margaret born in 1895 and James in 1897 although they did not marry until 1899, presumably after the death of Michael McGee, date and location unknown.
When war broke out in 1914 James was only 17 years of age, too young to enlist and also below the legal limit of 19 for service overseas. Once he turned 18 in 1915 he enlisted at Gateshead, assigned as Private 43634 to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 9th (Service) Battalion. The battalion formed part of the 28th Brigade, 9th Scottish Division and having trained at Bordon and Bramshott the main body of the men departed to France, landing at Boulogne, May 12th 1915. Private Porteous joined them once he turned 19 during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1916, at which time the regiment had been transferred to the 27th Brigade of the same division. They fought during the Battles of the Somme at Basentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd and Le Transloy October 1st-18th before being transferred to the Arras sector where the battle raged from April 9th-May 15th 1917 after which they moved to the Ypres salient in Belgium participating during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, July-November 1917.
Private 43634 James Porteous, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was killed in action October 22nd 1917. Due to the muddy conditions of the Ypres salient his body was never recovered or his grave found. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,997 names inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Zonnebeke, near Ypres in Belgium, which forms the backdrop to Tyne Cot Cemetery, commemorating those who fell on the Ypres salient as of August 16th 1917. He was 20 years of age and single.
His father John received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to the family address of 31, Crawshay Street, Saltmeadows, Gateshead.
In God's safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Porteous is remembered at Redheugh as J. Porthouse on R43.01 and at Gateshead as J. Porteous on G39.024
