Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George William Luke Jnr, one of 8 children of whom only 7 survived, was the eldest of his surviving siblings, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. His parents George Luke Snr of Cassop and Mary Alice Winter native of Willington, County Durham, born 1862 and1868 respectively, were married in the district of Durham in 1885. By 1891 they were living at 4, Sea View Row, Castle Eden Colliery, with their 3 children, George Jnr born 1886 at Willington, James 1888 at Oakenshaw, and 3 month old Elizabeth at Castle Eden, George Snr. was employed as a coal miner. Their son Thomas was also born at Castle Eden in 1894 before they moved on to Haswell and Framwellgate Moor where Mary Elizabeth and Robert were born in 1896 and 1900. At Close Row, Framwellgate Moor George Snr was joined at the colliery by George Jnr (15) working below ground as a driver.
All of George’s brother were miners and his family remained at Wheatley Hill, however, he married March 21st 1908 at Wingate Parish Church to local girl Elizabeth Broxson born 1888. In 1911, listed under his middle name of William, he and Elizabeth were living at 22, Sunderland Street, Shotton Colliery with their children Margaret born October 2nd 1908, Mary August 23rd 1911 and prior to the commencement of WW1, William, April 5th 1914.
George William enlisted February 8th 1915 at Sunderland, assigned as Private 16911 East Yorkshire Regiment. He joined his regiment the following day at their depot at Beverley, Yorkshire and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, a training unit, part of the Humber Garrison, March 2nd 1915, until he was transferred May 6th to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division and drafted to France. He joined his regiment in the field during the preparations for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme and was transferred to the 8th Battalion, 8th Brigade, 3rd Division, May 14th 1916. The 3rd Division participated during the opening battle at Albert July 1st-13th, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd and Thiepval September 26th-28th 1916.
Private 16911 George William Luke East Yorkshire Regiment was wounded during the Battle of Delville Wood, a gunshot wound to the groin and wrist, classed as serious. Transported back through the lines by Field Ambulance he was admitted to the 10th General Hospital at Rouen where he died of his wounds, July 21st 1916 and interred at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France, grave A. 32. 18. He was 30 years of age.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension of 20 shillings 6 pence a week for herself and their children as of January 22nd 1917 and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory medal sent to her at her new address of 87, Todd Street, Wingate, County Durham. She commissioned at a cost of 19 shillings 6 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered By His Wife And Three Children In England-Gone But Not Forgotten.”
Elizabeth Luke remarried in the district of Easington, County Durham, in 1921 to John Bulmer with whom she had 2 daughters, Doris born 1922 and Elizabeth 1927.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The Sunderland Echo 27/07/1916 reports:-
Pte. George William Luke, East Yorkshire Regiment of Shotton was wounded in the side and wrist on July 20th and died in hospital the following day. He leaves a widow and two (sic) children. Up to enlisting he took a prominent part in the work of the Shotton Salvation Army corps. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Luke of 9 Stockton Street Wheatley Hill.
George William Luke is remembered at Shotton on S125.01 and S125.02 and at Wheatley Hill on W114.01, W114.02 and W114.06
