Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Nevilles, one of 5 children, all of whom survived, was the eldest of 2 sons and had 1 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father William Nevilles was born 1862 at Seaham Harbour, County Durham, but living at Owen Street, Murton Colliery, with his family in 1881 employed as a general labourer. His future wife Elizabeth Lonsdale born, May 16th 1862, at Thornley was living with her widowed mother Moral Lonsdale at 28, William Street, township of Seaham. The couple were married in 1889 in the district of Sunderland, County Durham, and moved in with William’s widowed father, living in 3 rooms at 30, Durham Place, Murton Colliery, where they were both employed as banksmen. Their daughter Hannah was born later that year, sons Joseph and John, 1893 and 1895 respectively, Moral, October 1st 1897 and Edith May, May 29th 1902. William’s father had died, January 6th 1894 but he and his family remained at number 30 and by 1911 Hannah (20) is described as a morning girl, Joseph (18) and John (15) were token boys at the colliery where their father was still working as a banksman, Moral and Edith May were scholars.
Upon the declaration of war Joseph, may have been in the Territorial force with service number 2063. The force received instruction, August 31st, for each existing brigade and unit to form a reserve, which Joseph joined when he enlisted at H. Q. Seaham Harbour. Originally known as the 2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd and 2/4th Northumbrian Brigades Royal Field Artillery they were later known as the 315, 316, 317 and 318 Brigades Royal Field Artillery. The brigade came under the orders of the 2nd Northumbrian Division, lettered A, B, and C. As Gunner 760574 he was posted to “A” Battery, 317th Brigade which arrived in France, July 3rd 1916 and on July 5th was attached to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The brigade participated at the Battle of the Ancre, a phase of the Battles of the Somme, November 13th-18th 1916 and the Operation on the Ancre, January-March 1917 where Gunner Joseph Nevilles was wounded in the line of duty. Evacuated back through the lines he was taken by the Feld Ambulance to the village of Varennes, “home,” in 1917 to the 4th and 11th Casualty Clearing Stations since October 1916 and joined by the 47th in December 1916.
Gunner 760574 Joseph Nevilles succumbed to his wounds, March 14th 1917, and was interred at Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France, grave I. J. 32. He was 24 years of age and single.
His parents received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to them at 30, Durham Place, Murton Colliery, County Durham. They also received a pension of 15 shilling a week as of September 25th 1917, increased to 27 shillings 6 pence after the loss of youngest son Guardsman John Nevilles, April 3rd 1918.
William Nevilles of Durham Place, died suddenly, Monday, September 13th 1937, aged 75 years, and was interred at Murton Holy Trinity Churchyard, Thursday, September 16th, the cortege left his home at 1.45 p.m.
In 1939 Elizabeth was living at Toft Crescent, Easington, County Durham, with her widowed daughter Edith May Scott, whose husband John had died aged 33 years in 1934 and grandson John Nevilles Scott, born November 13th 1934.
Elizabeth Nevilles nee Lonsdale died, April 28th 1942 aged 79 years, registered at Durham Eastern.
With the death of both Nevilles brothers this line of the family ceased to exist.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Nevilles is remembered at Murton on M47.01, M47.02, M47.06, M47.09 and M47.12
