In Mericourt-L’Abbe Communal Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of S/11427 Rifleman Norman Laverick, serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) who died 12/05/1916.

The son of John and Rachel Laverick, of 1, Tadema Road, South Shields.

He was born in Hetton le Hole in 1896 the son of John and Rachel Laverick,

Norman had attended Westoe Secondary School.

He was married to Elisabeth Laverick and they lived at 27 South Market Street, Hetton le Hole, Co Durham.

Norman was employed as a miner at St Hilda’s Colliery for a while before the outbreak of war.

He had enlisted and resided in South Shields, he was however in the Royal Army Medical Corps 50524 before being transferred to the Rifle Brigade.

He was wounded in August 1915, where it was reported in the local paper.

He died of wounds on the 12th May 1916.

The Newcastle Journal 20/05/1916 reports:-
SOUTH SHIELDS SOLDIER’S DEATH.
An official intimation has been received Mr John Laverick, of 1. Tadema Road, South Shields, that his son, Rifleman Norman Laverick, has died in hospital from wounds received in action. Deceased was 20 years of age, and formerly worked at St. Hilda Colliery. A letter from his officer says that Laverick’s death was a great loss, as he was universally liked.

Norman Laverick is remembered at Harton on H104.03, at South Shields on S86.027, in S86.086 page 9, at Whitburn W100.01, W100.03 and W101.04