Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ernest Richard Christie, one of 5 children of whom all survived, was the 2nd born of 3 sons and 2 daughters. His parents John Christie and Margaret Tindle Smith, were born February 6th 1869 and September 29th 1870 respectively at South Shields, County Durham, where they married in 1890. John James was born in 1890, while the family was living at 33, Maxwell Street, Westoe, his father employed as a barge/waterman. Also listed in the census as a daughter is a Margaret J. Christie aged 10 years, obviously this is not possible as John and Margaret were only in their early 20s. His wife by 1902 had given birth to a further 4 children, Ernest Richard in 1893, Lilian 1895, Reginald 1897 and Evaline in 1902. Having moved to Gilbert Street, South Shields, in 1901, John was a ship rigger however by 1911 he had returned to the barges employed by a chemical works. John James (20) and Ernest Richard (18) were both employed by an engineering company as iron founders, their sister Lilian (16) worked at a drapery store as an assistant, Reginald (13) and Evaline (9) were scholars.
Although Ernest Richard was still living at South Shields he enlisted in 1914 in London where he was assigned as Private 2923 to “A” Squadron the 1st/1st Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry, Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, stationed in Buckingham. September 2nd 1914 they transferred to the 2nd Mounted Division at Norfolk as part of the coastal defences. The division departed to Egypt, arriving at Alexandria, April 19th-21st 1915, however, Private Christie was not amongst them, he departed as of January 1916 with a new service number, 206204, joining his regiment which was now independent and known as the 6th Mounted Division. It served on the Western Frontier until October 1916 before joining the Imperial Mounted Division and participating in the First (March 26th 1917) and Second Battles of Gaza, (April 17th-19th 1917) remaining in the sector.
Private 206204 Ernest Richard Christie died of wounds on the battlefield, June 1st 1917, and was brought into Beersheba War Cemetery, HaDarom (Southern District), Israel and Palestine (including Gaza), memorial O. 21. He was 24 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 8, Oxford Street, South Shields, County Durham. He commissioned at a cost of 14 shillings 3 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Rest Our Dear Son With Your Parents’ Love Until The Day Dawns”
The death of Ernest Richard Christie preceded that of his brother Private John James Christie who also died of wounds whilst on active service in Belgium, October 3rd 1918. No record has been found for Reginald Christie, he died aged 77 years at South Shields in 1977.
In 1939 John and Margaret Christie were living at 32, Fellside, Cleadon Park, South Shields, John died aged 71 years, December 31st 1940. Probate in the sum of £203 4s 6d to his widow. Details as regards the demise of Margaret Tindle Christie nee Smith, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Ernest Richard Christie has not been found on a South Shields War Memorial.
