World War One

Walter Lamb was born in Christon Bank, Alnwick, Northumberland on 15 February 1890, son of Mr James William (A Brewer in Brewery Lane Warkworth) and & Mrs Minnie Lamb of Hotspur House, Warkworth. He had five brothers – Henry, Thomas, James W, John, Cyril and two sisters – Elinor Elizabeth (who died in New Jersey, USA) and Minnie Florence. His brother John served with the Royal Navy during the First World War and survived. Walter was educated at the Dukes School, Alnwick, leaving school in 1906.

He was living in Newcastle in the 1911 census at 41 North Terrace, Wallsend as a boarder, his occupation was Engineers Pattern Maker with the North Eastern Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. Walter was 5ft 7½ inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. He was 24 years and 7 months of age when he enlisted into the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry as a Private on the 18th September 1914 signing an agreement to serve for four years or the duration of the war. He only spent three months with the Northumberland Hussars before receiving a commission and joining ‘I’ company 22nd (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) as Second Lieutenant.

His cousin 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Lamb was killed when instructing his men in hand grenade, throwing. An article appeared in the Newcastle Journal on 11th July 1916 with the heading:-

“Warkworth officer Killed in Action”

News was received yesterday by Councillor J.W. Lamb of Warkworth, that one of his sons, Lieutenant Walter Lamb had been killed in action in France. The deceased enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers and was connected with the machine gun section. At the meeting of Alnwick Rural Council, yesterday, Councillor J.H. Mansfield Chairman, referred to the loss sustained by one of their members, Councillor James W. Lamb, through the death of his third son Lieutenant W. Lamb who had been killed in action in France and also of his nephew 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Lamb, who had been killed in a bomb accident at Chipchase Camp. The deaths of these 2 young officers would be a great trial to Councillor J. W. Lamb and his sister Miss Elizabeth Lamb, also a member.

The War diaries for the 22^nd Battalion show that they were in their billets on 24 June at Bresle and they were preparing for the attack to begin. On 25 June the companies/platoons began moving to the Usna-Tara Line and the Sunken Garden, Albert. On 29 June a bombing party consisting of 2 Officers and 20 men processed towards the enemy lines with a view of raiding them. This party returned to our lines early, due to enemy fire, without suffering any casualties.

The Battalion remained in position in their line on 30 June, supporting the 21^st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. The 20^th & 23^rd Battalions were in position on the left. By 22.30hours all the companies were in their assembly trenches awaiting the attack.The position of assembly points on the 30 June was as follows:

1^st Line – along Dundee Avenue, left resting on point where Mercier Street joins.

2^nd Line – Alnwick Street

3^rd Line – along Dundee Avenue, with right resting on point where Mercier Street joins.

4th Line – were in the newly dug trench from junction of Buddon Street and Dundee Avenue.

At eight minutes before zero hour a ‘Hurricane Bombardment’ opened, then with two minutes before zero hour, two lines of the 2^nd Tyneside Scottish advanced over the parapet and the 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed, occupying the trenches vacated by them. A Regiment Aid Post was established at the junction of Gowrie Street and Methuen Street. The wounded were to be evacuated by Gowrie Street and Perth Avenue to A.D.S of Kinfauns Street – Perth Avenue.

The attack began at 0730 hours and by 1245hours their strength was only 7 Officers and 200 Other Ranks, made up of a mixture of the 22^nd & 21^st Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, under the command of Major Acklom. At 2215hours a patrol got in touch with other troops, who had taken shelter in the ‘New Crater’ which had been caused by our mines 100 yards beyond our right flank. By 2 July all ranks were greatly in need of water and were very fatigued, consolidation of the position continues, slowly. By 0330 hours the Cheshire’s arrived in our lines ready for a further advance. Orders were received at 1440hours to hold our position at ‘ALL COSTS’.

More troops arrived in our lines – Lincolns and Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In the next few hours the Battalion received two Lewis Guns, three Vickers Guns and two Stokes guns with a plentiful supply of water and rations The men were in good spirits and our position was secure. By midnight on 2/3 July the Battalion strength was 5 Officers and 155 NCO’s and men. Walter was one of the seven Officers killed in the attack on 1 July.

Walter died 1 July 1916, aged just 26 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

 

Private Walter Etheridge, 16th Northumberland Fusiliers.

Walter was born in Stokesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1883. He was one of ten children born to Ben and Ellen Etheridge. Ben was a Shoe Repairer by profession.

On the 1901 census Walter and his elder brother Ben, were living in lodgings in Choppington, Northumberland with the Minshall family. Both Walter and Ben were working below ground at Choppington Colliery.

In 1903 Walter married Phyllis Blanche Howard who had also had come from Norfolk. They moved to Ashington, where in 1911 they were living at 10 Poplar Street. They had 3 children, Walter John 5 years, Cyril 3 years and Gladys 1 year.

After Walter’s death Phyllis Blanche Etheridge, never remarried and died on 26 February, aged 75 years still living in Ashington, Northumberland.

Walter enlisted 7th December 1914, with his brother in law Albert Gardner. Albert had married Walter’s sister, Lily Etheridge.

 

 

On the eve of the Battle of the Somme the Battalion moved off in platoons from Knights Redoubt to the trenches via Martinsart, Aveluy Wood and Black Horse Bridge. Their movement was slow as the roads were crowed with troops, guns, ammunition columns. For miles the route to the trenches was just one mass of men, horses and vehicles. As they got closer to the trenches the toll of human life began and the battalion took many casualties before they even reached their battle position where they were to relieve the 2nd Battalion Inniskillings at 0230hours.

Walter and Albert’s were in No 5 Platoon, ‘B’ Company, which was chosen to lead the attack from Hamilton Avenue to Maison Brise Sap. Zero hour was 0730hours and for five hours the battalion stood too, crowded in their trenches. At zero hour the leading waves scrambled over the top of the parapet and the men were picked off by accurate German rifle and machine gun fire. Walter’s commanding officer was killed immediately and Walter possibly not long after him.

‘B’ Company was Commanded by Captain P. G. Graham and Sergeant G. Robertson and both of these were killed on 1st July along with Walter and Albert as well as 16 of their comrades. Of the 42 Other Ranks of No. 5 Platoon, ‘B’ Company that took part in the first day of the battle 31of the men were wounded or killed.

Did Walter and Albert die side by side that day?

However, unlike his brother in law, Walter’s body must never have been found as he has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B 11B and 12B.

 

Private Albert William Gardner, 16th Nothumberland Fusiliers.

Born in 1883, in Northampton. The 1901 census, has Albert living as a boarder at 22 Ebenezer Tenancy, Gilbert Road, Erith, South London, with the Holmes family, he was working as a Labourer. He married Lily May Etheridge in 1906 in Wiltshire. Sometime after this they move to Ashington.

On 1911 census, they are living with their new baby son at 41half Hawthorn Terrace. Ashington, Northumberland. Lily’s brother Alfred Etheridge, is also living with them. Both men are working as Stonemen underground at the local colliery.

Albert enlisted December 1914 in Newcastle with his brother in law Walter Etheridge. Albert had married Walter’s sister Lily. Both were attached to the ‘B’ Company No. 5 Platoon, 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was one of the many killed on 1st July 1916 his headstone reads “Thy will be done”

The battalion formed in later 1914 and went to Alnwick Camp in December 1914 for training. On arrival in Alnwick they were welcomed by the band of 4^th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers “Who played us down the hill to the Lion Bridge and up the hill to the camp”. In camp the Battalion had regular hours of exercise and training as well as good rations and invigorating fresh air which resulted in most of the men putting on weight. Their khaki uniforms arrived in the New Year along with harder training and longer route marches together with tactical manoeuvres.

The Battalion’s stay in Alnwick was abruptly ended and they board special trains to take them to Cramlington at only a few hours, notice. They were under the impression that they were sent there in case of the enemy landing on the North East Coast. They were marched out of Alnwick Camp by the pipes and drums.

The move to Cramlington was done in three stages. The first consisted of the Headquarters staff together with “A” and “B” Companies who were very smart and soldierly, then by “C” and “D” Companies who were less smart and soldierly as they were loaded down with extra rifles, boxes of ammunition, picks, shovels and other equipment and then finally the Clearing-up party. Their first night in Cramlington was spent in the open as they did not have time to erect their tents. It rained all night!

After spells at Catterick Bridge and Codford St Mary Camps the Battalion left for France on 20 November 1915, bound for Folkestone and the ‘Glorious Adventure Beyond’.

On the eve of the Battle of the Somme the Battalion moved off in platoons from Knights Redoubt to the trenches via Martinsart, Aveluy Wood and Black Horse Bridge. Their movement was slow as the roads were crowed with troops, guns, ammunition columns. For miles the route to the trenches was just one mass of men, horses and vehicles. As they got closer to the trenches the toll of human life began and the battalion took many casualties before they even reached their battle position where they were to relieve the 2^nd Battalion Inniskillings at 0230hours.

Albert’s company was chosen to lead the attack from Hamilton Avenue to Maison Brise Sap. Zero hour was 0730hours and for five hours the battalion stood too, crowded in their trenches. At zero hour the leading waves scrambled over the top of the parapet and the men were picked off by accurate German rifle and machine gun fire. Albert’s commanding officer was killed immediately and Albert possibly not long after him.

‘B’ Company was Commanded by Captain P. G. Graham and Sergeant G. Robertson and both of these were killed on 1^st July along with Albert, Walter his brother in law and 16 of his comrades. Of the 42 Other Ranks of No. 5 Platoon ‘B’ Company, that took part in the first day of the battle 31of the men were wounded or killed.

Albert is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No 1.