Illustrated Chronicle
Medal Index Card for Corporal Punshon
Harold Finlay was the second son of Thomas Punshon, Ashley Terrace, Chester-le-Street and his wife, Agnes Kershaw, daughter of the late Richard Finlay.
Harold was born in Ashley Terrace, Chester-le-Street 23rd February 1892. He was educated at Higher Grade School, Gateshead, later known as Gateshead Grammar School. Then was employed at the Priestman Colliery Office.
He joined the Durham L.I. Territorials in April 1912 and was in training in camp when war was declared in August 1914. He volunteered for foreign service, went to France, 19th April 1915, and was killed in action near Ypres on the 26th, being shot by a sniper. Harold was unmarried. Harold is buried about half a mile S.E. of St Julien.
Captain John Turnbull in a letter to Harold's brother wrote: I regret very deeply to have to inform you that your poor brother Harry was killed on Monday the 26th. I was not with him when he met his death, but saw him an hour before, when, I am sure you will be proud to know, he was doing his bit in a splendidly cool manner, under most trying circumstances. I got separated from the body of men with whom he was, but have since learned that he with two or three other N.C.O.s., and a few men were cut off by a large body of Germans. Some of our chaps had to surrender, but Harry and a few others made a dash for it and got clear. He was killed soon after this, while going between trenches with ammunition.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Harold Finlay Punshon is remembered in Chester-le-Street on C105.01 C105.12, C105.15, and C105.40, at Durham in D47.013b, page 98, in D47.156b page 157, in Gateshead on G39.03 and Newcastle on NUT043 and NUT052 and at Durham in D47.013b on page 98 where his name is given as "Punchon"
