Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Traill, was the 2nd born of 3 known children. His father Joseph Traill Snr born 1862 at Seghill, Northumberland, met Martha Ann Shawcross, born October 12th 1864 at Nafferton, Yorkshire, who had been brought to live in the north east by her family and in 1881 was living at Seghill with her widowed father and younger sibling Walter, they were married in the district of Tynemouth, Northumberland, in 1883. They settled at Boldon Colliery, County Durham, where son Edward Shawcross Traill was born June 19th 1887, in 1891 they were living at 39, Donkin Street, also in the household was Martha’s brother Walter (23), he and her husband were both employed as coal miners. Martha gave birth to Joseph Jnr during the 3rd quarter 1891, William, January 22nd 1894.
Joseph Traill Snr died between 1894 and 1898, circumstances as yet unknown. Martha (listed in error as Martha Ann Waile) married again, February 6th 1899, district of South Shields, County Durham, to Benjamin Taylor, ten years her junior, he was born at Boldon Colliery, April 1st 1875, with whom she had a further 2 children. Their son Sydney was born December 1st 1899 at Boldon Colliery, in 1901 they were living at Hesworth Lane, Benjamin was employed as a postman, Martha Ann worked for her own account as a grocer, Edward was a blacksmith’s apprentice. Between 1901 and 1908 they had moved to Newburn, Castle Ward, Northumberland, where their daughter Joyce was born in 1908. In 1911 Benjamin was still employed as a postman, Edward (23), a blacksmith’s striker and William (17), a labourer in the spring shop, were both employed at the steel works, Joseph worked at the colliery as a putter, Sydney (11) a scholar, Joyce (2) remained at home, which consisted of 3 rooms at 22, Grasmere Avenue, Newburn, Northumberland, with her mother.
Joseph Traill, upon the outbreak of war, was one of the first to enlist at Newburn, assigned as Private 1108 to the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Territorial force in peacetime, it was split to create a 1st line, those who had volunteered for service overseas, and 2nd line, for home service, those unable or unwilling to serve overseas. Private Traill departed with the 1st/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 49th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, April 20th 1915. Landing in France the division was sent to Belgium, where within days, without any nursery training or trench familiarisation, they were in the thick of the fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-May 25th. Battle concluded they were redesignated as the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and returned to France.
Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal 1108 Joseph Traill Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, October 13th 1915 whilst in the area of Houplines, a village in Allied hands but very close to the front line. The village originally contained four Commonwealth cemeteries and several military graves in the communal cemetery. Post war these burials were regrouped into two cemeteries. Lance Corporal Joseph Traill was laid to rest within Ferme Buterne Cemetery, Nord, Pas de Calais, France, memorial C32. The cemetery was initially used by the 6th Division between January-October 1915. Close by at C30 is buried Private 1563 John Harwood, Durham Light Infantry of Forster Street, Consett and at C37 Private John Joseph Ivinson Northumberland Fusiliers of 21, Burns Close, Callerton, Westerhope.
All monies owed to him were received by his mother, also his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 2, Francis Terrace, Newburn, County Durham. His mother commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 6 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Until The Dawn.” Lance Corporal Traill was 24years of age and single.
Although Joseph’s brothers and half-brother were also eligible to serve during WW1 no records have been found.
Martha Ann Taylor-Trail nee Shawcross died aged 88 years in 1952, Benjamin Taylor, possibly in 1953 aged 79 years, registered at Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joesph Traill is remembered at Newburn as W.J. Traill on N13.01 and as L/Cpl J. Trail on N13.02
