In Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of Second Lieutenant Edward Cotnam Fields serving with the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 22/06/1916.

In Christ Church burial ground is a family headstone which reads:

The family burial place of
Robert Lehair and Ann Fields

In memory of
Robert Middleton
Beloved son of the above
Who died Dec. 15th 1897
Aged 27 years

In memory of
Robert Lehair Fields
The beloved husband of
Ann Fields
Who died March 2nd 1909
Aged 74 years

Lieut. Edward Cotnam Fields
27th North. Fusiliers
Died of wounds 22nd June 1916
Aged 22 years

Ann beloved wife of the above R.L. Fields
Died 21st June 1942 aged 96 years

Lavinia eldest daughter
Died March 27th 1947

Sarah Ann Fields
Third Daughter
Died Oct. 17th 1957

Edward Cotnam Fields was the only son of Ann and the late Robert Lehair Fields, of 17, Northumberland Square, North Shields, Northumberland. He fought at Festubert and Loos in the Ranks. He received his commission in France

The Shields Daily News 24/06/1916 reports:-
DEATH OF LIEUT. E.C. FIELDS.
Mrs Fields, 17 Northumberland Square, North Shields, yesterday received a telegram from the War Office informing her that her son Lieut. Edward Cotman Fields, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, had died of wounds received in action June 22nd. Lieut. Fields, who was a son of the late Mr B. L. Fields, accountant, of North Shields, had been engaged in the Civil Service for many years and was employed at Somerset House.

He re-joined the Civil Service Rifles (Territorials the day after the outbreak of war, and refused the offer of   commission being anxious to see active service as soon as possible. He went to France in March, 1915, and with exception of four days leave, has been at the Front ever since. He attained corporal’s rank in the field and eventually took a commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Deceased was a young man of fine character, and was much esteemed by all who knew him. Deep sympathy is felt with his mother and sisters in their bereavement.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Edward Cotnam Fields was one of 7 known children, offspring of Robert Lehair Fields and Ann Middleton.

Robert Lehair Fields originated from Holbeach, Lincolnshire, where he was born April 18th 1834. After the death of his father, newspaper editor, Robert Cotnam Fields his mother Lavinia Fields nee Rhodes remarried to Edward Ground. Robert Lehair left his family home and by the age of 16 was working as a stationer’s assistant in the City of Westminster, Central London, living with his employer, stationer Peter Martin at 8, Broadway, Christ Church, Westminster. 

Over the coming years he migrated to the north of England and was married in Walker, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne, March 29th 1869 to Ann Middleton born in 1846, a native of Hebburn on the south bank of the River Tyne, historically in County Durham. Their son Robert Middleton Fields was born in 1870 in Walker but they had moved to 15, Prospect Terrace, Jarrow, County Durham by 1871 where Robert Lehair was employed as a commercial clerk.

Ann gave birth to a further 4 children during the next ten years, all daughters. Elizabeth was born in 1873, Lavinia, October 2nd 1874, Sarah Ann 1878 and Lily 1880. Robert Lehair had moved his family to 81, Prospect Terrace, Tynemouth by 1881 and was working for a property owner as a rent and debt collector. Edward Cotnam Fields was born in 1882, his sister Bertha, July 5th 1884. 

Ten years later Robert Lehair was a house agent for an accountant and had transferred his family to the parish of Preston, North Shield. Robert Middleton Fields (21) was employed at the colliery, Elizabeth (17) was a pupil teacher, part of a training program as an apprenticeship for teachers. Whilst completing their own education student teachers observed qualified staff and taught younger children, the younger Fields children were scholars.

Robert Middleton Fields died in 1897 ages 27 years, his death may have been related to health issues due to his work at the colliery however he was not involved in any mining accident. 

Robert Lehair Fields at the age of 66 years had his own business as Borough Auditor and a house and estate agent. Elizabeth (29) Sarah Anne (21) and Lily (20) were all qualified elementary teachers, Edward (18) was studying for the civil service, Bertha (16) remained at home with her mother. The family was now living in 10 rooms at 17, Northumberland Square, North Shields which remained their residence even after the death of Robert Lehair Fields, March 2nd 1909. His effects in the sum of £350 passed to his widow Ann Fields.

Ernest Cotnam Fields had left the family home by 1911, his whereabouts are unknown, his mother and sisters Lavinia and Bertha were supported by Elizabeth and Sarah Ann. 

When Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 4th 1914, all regiments were ordered to raise new battalion in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms. Men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country. 

Edward Cotnam Fields left his post as a civil servant and enlisted, he was assigned as Corporal 1977 to the 15th (Prince of Wales’s Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment of the Territorial Force with HQ at Somerset House, Westminster, London.

Corporal Fields departed with his regiment to France, as part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division, March 18th 1915, landing at Le Havre only the second Territorial Force Division to arrive at the front. All the brigades of the 2nd London Division with the exception of the 2nd which was sent to Cassel, remained at Bethune. March 11th 1916 Corporal Fields was offered a commission with the Northumberland Fusiliers and as 2nd Lieutenant he joined the 27th Battalion (4th Tyneside Irish) in the field.

The 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion raised in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1915 by the Lord Mayor of the city. After initial training near home and further training on Salisbury Plain they received orders to depart January 3rd 1916 and by the 15th the entire division had crossed to France and was concentrated at La Crosse near St. Omer, attached to the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.

During the spring of 1916 preparations were well underway for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme programmed to begin June 29th 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Edward Cotnam Fields was wounded on the battlefield in the run up to the opening battle, he died at the Military Hospital in the village of Corbie, 15 kilometres east of Amiens, June 22nd 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Fields Northumberland Fusiliers is a rest within Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, grave I.. B. 4. He was 34 years of age and single. Awards 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

All monies due to him from the Army were assigned to his executor shipbuilder commercial manager, Herbert Moorhouse Hinchliffe Esquire, as were his personal assets in the sum of £690 3 shillings 6 pence August 15th 1916. 

Edward’s mother Ann Fields nee Middleton died in 1942. 

None of his sisters ever married. Lily Fields died in 1924. 

Lavinia Fields resident at 34, Walton Avenue, North Shields died March 27th 1947, effects in the sum of £104 5 shillings 7 pence to her youngest sister Bertha, April 29th 1947. 

Sarah Ann Fields resident at 15, Monkstone Crescent, Cullercoats, died October 17th 1957, effects in the sum of £2258 10 shillings 6 pence December 2nd 1957 to her youngest sister Bertha.

Bertha Fields resident at 36, Toll Bar Road, Great Boughton, Chester, died April 18th 1960 at The Royal Infirmary Chester, effects in the sum of £5150 6 shillings 5 pence to her sister Elizabeth Fields.

Elizabeth Fields was living at 16, Northumberland Square, North Shields in 1939 listed as a retired head teacher. Although she was the eldest of her sisters Elizabeth outlived them all, however the exact date of her demise is unknown.

With the death of Edward Cotnam Fields in the absence of an heir this branch of the Fields family ceased to exist.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Edward Cotnam Fields is remembered at North Shields on N34.64 and N34.77 and at Tynemouth in T36.14.