In Christ Church Churchyard, Great Lumley is the grave of 99671 Bombardier James Litherland who served with the Royal Field Artillery who died 20/06/1923.
Also in the churchyard is a family headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
Thomas
Beloved husband of
Frances Litherland
Died 6th July 1943
Aged 66 years
Also Stanley, Edwin
Pte. Jack & James
Sons of the above
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
James Litherland, the son of Thomas and Frances was born in 1897 at Great Lumley. The couple had married at Newcastle in 1896. The 1901 census shows the couple together with James at Jarrow. At this time father, Thomas, was working as a labourer at a gas producer in the steel works. Son John George Shanks born 1899 is a patient in the Royal Victoria Hospital at Newcastle. William Turnbull was born 2nd September 1901.
By 1911 the family were living at 25 Railway Terrace New Herrington. Thomas Edwin was four months old. His father, Thomas, was now a coal miner/deputy overman below ground whilst James aged 14 was working as a belt boy above ground. His brothers John and William were at school.
Further children were born – Stanley and Mary Isabella in 1913 and Joseph B. in 1915. Stanley and William Edwin both died in 1916.
James enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery with Service Number 99671. He embarked for France November 28th 1915. He rose from being a Gunner to a Bombardier. James survived the War.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
James married Margaret Sutheran Walton on September 25th 1918 at Houghton le Spring. The couple’s son, John George Shanks Litherland served in WW2 as a sailor. He was killed in action in 1941.
James of 26 Station Avenue Fence Houses died of injuries received during WW1 at the early age of 26 years June 20th 1923. Unfortunately, he was not entitled to a Commonwealth War Grave as the final date for a war grave was the 31st August 1921.
His widow Margaret married George Storey in 1927. They lived at Hetton le Hole.
James Litherland is not remembered on a local War memorial.
