Photo: Brian Chandler

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Solomon Chadwick (2nd) was one of 11 children, of whom 6 survived and 9 are known by name. Both his parents hailed from Lancashire, his father Solomon Chadwick Snr was born, September 26th 1856 at Wigan, his mother Mary Ann Prior at Haydock, January 25th 1854. They were married in the district of Wigan, March 6th 1876, just prior to the birth of their son Walter, his brother William was also born at Wigan in 1880. Between 1880 and 1881 they had migrated to the north east, settling in the village of Low Spennymoor, County Durham, where Solomon Snr was employed as a coal miner. Their next two children were also boys, Solomon (1st), born in 1881 and Thomas, November 12th 1883. To lose a child brings great sadness, tragically Walter (10), William (7) and Solomon (5), all died during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1886, presumably from disease, registered in the district of Easington. Walter Chadwick was buried at Wingate, Durham, January 28th 1886 and this was most probably also the burial place of his brothers. All this happened whilst Mary Ann was pregnant, Arthur was born, August 6th. May 1st 1888 their only daughter Esther was born before they left Low Spennymoor and moved to the village of Station Town near Darlington, birthplace of Solomon (2nd), January 8th 1890. The family lived at 23, Jane Street, for less than 2 years returning to Low Spennymoor by the time George was born in 1892 and James 1895. Over the next 10 years they left County Durham for Northumberland, in 1901 Solomon was working as a coal miner at Newburn and had been joined by Thomas (18), and Arthur (16) employed as putters, they were living at 32, Stanley Street. By 1911 they had moved into 4 rooms at 42, Union Street, Lemington, Solomon (21), George (19) and James (16) had joined Thomas and their father at the colliery as a putter, landing lad and a labourer respectively. Esther had married in 1907 to coal miner/shifter Robert Sanderson Aitken, they and their son Arthur were living in 4 rooms at 10, Shafto Street, Scotswood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1911. Arthur had emigrated to Canada in 1908, settling in Nova Scotia.

Solomon was married in early 1914 to Jane Graves, born May 5th 1893, at Ovingham, Northumberland, daughter of coal miner Joseph Graves and Sarah Ann Haig of 43, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Northumberland, with whom he had a son, James, born August 14th 1914, within days of the declaration of war with Germany, August 4th 1914.

There are only two official military documents that can be attributed to Solomon Chadwick, neither of which shed much light. He was assigned as Driver 1645 to the 2nd/1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery, a Territorial Force, his number indicates he joined circa February 10th 1915 to April 1915.

Driver 1645 Solomon Chadwick died, July 23rd 1915, at Walkergate Fever Hospital, Durham, official cause given as, “cerebrospinal meningitis or active service,” and was interred at Lemington Cemetery, Northumberland, with military honours, grave I. C. 96. He was 25 years of age.

Jane Chadwick of 39, Severn Street, Chopwell, County Durham, received all monies due to her husband from the Army and a pension for herself and their son of 15 shillings, awarded January 17th 1916 to be received weekly as of January 4th until her son reached the age of 16-years, August 14th 1930. She commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 9 pence an additional inscription to be added to her husband’s military headstone, it reads, “Thy Will Be Done.”

Solomon’s brother Arthur served during WW1 with the Canadian Forces and survived the conflict.

In 1939 Jane Chadwick was living at 37, Maple Road, Blaydon, County Durham, with her mother Sarah Ann Graves. Further details of Jane Chadwick nee Graves are unknown, James Chadwick died in 1949 aged 35 years, registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

Solomon’s mother Mary Ann Chadwick nee Prior died in 1921 aged 67 years, Solomon Chadwick Snr aged 77 years in 1934, both registered in the district of Castle Ward (including Newburn and Westerhope) Northumberland.

In God's safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Solomon Chadwick is not remembered on a local War Memorial.

The CWGC entry for Driver Chadwick