Heslop's Local Advertiser
Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Campbell Bickerdyke’s military record states he was an only son, parents deceased, identity unknown. He was born during the third quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1877 at Bedale, Yorkshire and married Grace Elizabeth Armour native of Jarrow born June 4th 1880, in the district of Middlesborough in 1906. Richard and Grace had 5 children, Walter Campbell February 22nd 1907, Richard Campbell June 6th 1908, Charles Campbell August 27th 1909, Mary Campbell May 12th 1912 and John Campbell Bickerdyke June 13th 1915. Richard was employed as an ironstone miner, in 1911 they were living at 24, West Street, Eston, near Middlesbrough.
Having moved to Heworth, Richard Campbell Bickerdyke Snr left his employment as a coal miner to enlist, aged 36 years 2 month, September 8th 1914 and was assigned as Private 9502 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, stating he had previously served with the Yorkshire Regiment. He trained with the regiment at Forest Hall, September 8th 1914-September 21st 1915, and at Seaham Harbour as part of the Tyne Defences, September 23rd 1915-April 5th 1916. Mobilised he was transferred to the 10th Battalion of the New Armies and departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France April 6th 1916, joining the regiment attached to the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division on the Ypres salient, Belgium. June 1916, the 10th Battalion moved south to Arras and then in early August to the Somme, where it joined the fighting to clear Delville Wood. Two weeks later, September 16th 1916 the battalion attacked Gird trenches and, caught by German machine gun fire, was unable to advance, losing some 400 men killed, wounded, or missing.
Private 10/9502 Richard Campbell Bickerdyke was missing after the attack of September 16th and his wife was informed. He was stuck off the list of the missing December 2nd 1916 and listed as presumed to have died on or since September 16th 1916. It was not until April 11th 1917 when the matter was being investigated in order for his widow to receive a pension that new facts came to light. Two letters forwarded to the Ministry of Pensions via HQ in England reported that Private 8879 A. Green and Private 8916 J. Cuthbertson stated they, “saw soldiers shot in the head and believed that he was killed”, therefore, September 16th 1916 was officially adopted as the date of his demise, at the time he was 38 years old.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names of servicemen from the Empire inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, pier and face 14A & 15B, which commemorates those who died on the Somme 1915 to 1918 who have no known grave.
His widow Grace received all monies due to him, a pension of 31 shilling 3 pence a week for herself and their 5 children as of April 11th 1917, his personal items and awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her at 10, Heworth Avenue, Pelaw, County Durham.
Grace Elizabeth Bickerdyke nee Armour died in 1972 aged 92 years, registered in the district of NE Durham. With regards to Richard and Grace’s children Walter died aged 79 years, August 8th 1986 at Hebburn, County Durham, Richard 4th Qtr 1991 at South Shields aged 83 years, Charles 4th Qtr. 1981 Northumberland Central aged 72 years. Mary Campbell Bickerdyke married in 1938 George R Porter and died in 1997 aged 84 years at South Shields and John died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne 4th Qtr 2005 aged 90 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 12/1917 reports:
"Private R.C. Bickerdyke, D.L.I. of Pelaw, missing Sept.16th, 1916, now presumed killed, aged 40 years."
