William Vickers listed on Allenheads, Northumberland War Memorial

[singin]

Good Morning,

My son has recently migrated from South Devon to the village of Allenheads, situated on the Northumberland moors, and on our first visit I was naturally drawn to the village war memorial, which only lists four men for the Great War. Having now visited a few times I am attempting to create a roll of honour for the village for display in the local heritage centre. However one man William Vickers is causing me problems, and I am hoping that one of the Forum experts on North Country Regiments can assist me.

These are the bits of information I have accumulated.

Soldiers Died lists one Pte William Vickers of the 1/5th Battalion (Territorial) Northumberland Fusiliers who died in France and Flanders on 1st September 1918. However he is listed as having been born and enlisted in North Shields. CWGC also lists this man with the service number of 61581. He is also listed on the Great War Medal Roll. The 1911 Census records on William Vickers age 12, living with his parents in 3 Spence Street, South Shields, which would have made him 18/19 in 1918, but why would a South Shields casualty be listed in Allenheads?

The 1911 Census also lists another young William Vickers, aged 13 living with his parents, Joseph and Mary Vickers in the nearby village of Stanhope, County Durham, which would have made this William about 20 in 1918. As Stanhope is in County Durham, this might link in to the following information.

Within the Allenheads Inn is a framed Great War newspaper cutting from the Hexham Courier which contains images headed 'Allenheads Men with the Colours'. This contains an image of Sig. [taken to ne Signaller] Wm. Vickers, 20th D.L.I. [taken to be the Durham Light Infantry].

The Great War Medal Roll also listed another William Vickers as a Pte in the Northumberland Fusiliers under Service No. 55421.

Finally - The 1911 Census lists one William Vickers aged 14 living in Allendale with his father, Robert - the Estate Joiner - and mother Mary Anne and 7 other children. This would mean he was born in 1897/8 and make him 20/21 in 1918.

The latter is the most likely candidate for the war memorial listing, but being unable to attempt a Hexham Courier newspaper trawl for the Allenhead's Vickers' death notice I can find nothing to list him into military service and death in the Great War.

Therefore I seek the assistance of the Forum experts to assist in completing this work so I can present this small village community with a record of the fallen heroes.

John Ellis

[stevej60]

John,William Vickers is one of three names on a roll of honour for Allenheads council school as he was obviously a pupil there, so your latter man does seem to be the right

person.A little more information can be found on the North east war memorials project website,he was 20 years old and died at London college after being discharged?

he is buried in the local churchyard without it seems a CWGC headstone or record so possibly a case for proper commemoration.check out the website it is an excellent

easy to use site.

regards Steve

[kenmorrison]

Don't want to confuse the issue (and I don't know the area) but there is a William Vickers, Cpl. 2242 Australian Infantry. Died 16 March 1918. Born Aycliffe, Co. Durham. NoKin Charles (father) at Newhouse Farm, Heighington (?) Co. Durham.

There is also a Canadian, born Newcastle (so unlikely?)

Ken

[kenmorrison]

There is some information at http://www.theygavetheirtoday.com/allenheads.html which would indicate that he died in hospital in London "as a civilian" and there is a death of a William Vickers aged 20 in the June Q of 1917 at St. Pancras.

Ken

[KevinBattle]

I'm guessing the 4 on the Memorial are all from WW1 otherwise you may have at least another..

PEARSON, WILLIAM FREDERICK. Rank: Private. Service No: 2313. Date of Death: 16/06/1915. Age: 27.

Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers. "A" Coy. 1st/6th Bn.

Panel Reference: Panel 8 and 12. Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Additional Information: Son of William and Mary Ann Pearson, of The Post Office, Allenheads, Allendale, Northumberland.

SPARKE, GEORGE. Rank: Private. Service No: 75709. Date of Death: 19/04/1918. Age: 24.

Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers. 23rd Bn.

Grave Reference: IV. H. 36. Cemetery: BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX.

Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Jane Sparke, of Intack Cottage, Allenheads, Allendale, Northumberland.

BATEMAN, CHARLES MCALLISTER. Rank: Trooper. Service No: 3450143. Date of Death: 29/11/1944. Age: 24.

Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 53rd Regt.

Grave Reference: III. E. 12. Cemetery: LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

Additional Information: Husband of Rhoda Bateman, of Allenheads, Northumberland.

WOOD, FRED HALL. Rank: Pilot Officer. Service No: 120643. Date of Death: 24/06/1942. Age: 32.

Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 103 Sqdn.

Panel Reference: Panel 72. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Additional Information: Husband of Elizabeth Alfreda Wood, of Allenheads, Northumberland.

EDIT: I see there are 4 from WW1 including Gilbert Graham and the William Vickers you mention.

There also seems to be a Robert Batey Civilian casualty in WW2 connected to the village.

[MickLeeds]

Hello,

There is pension/service record on Ancestry for Pte William Vickers (20/846) 20th DLI.

Born 1897 Allenheads, Northumberland. (Joiner by trade, address: Fawside House, Allendales)

Enlisted: Barnard Castle, 10/11/1915 (18 yrs old)

BEF France: 5/5/1916

To England sick: 14/12/1916.

Discharged: 22/02/1917 - No longer physically fit - Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Died: 22/04/1917 Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Mick.

[stevej60]

Hello,

There is pension/service record on Ancestry for Pte William Vickers (20/846) 20th DLI.

Born 1897 Allenheads, Northumberland. (Joiner by trade, address: Fawside House, Allendales)

Enlisted: Barnard Castle, 10/11/1915 (18 yrs old)

BEF France: 5/5/1916

To England sick: 14/12/1916.

Discharged: 22/02/1917 - No longer physically fit - Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Died: 22/04/1917 Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Mick.

That has to be him Mick,I think John,s original thread has unearthed someone who should be entitled to official commemoration might be worth running it past the experts

in the relevant section of the forum..

[John_Hartley]

William Vickers (the man identified in post 6) has already been pciked up by the In From the Cold Project and is awaiting consideration by the National Army Museum. For info, case was submitted on 4/11/12. I don't readily have to hand the details of how we came across him.

[chrisharley9]

As I not at home John I take it is the case I assisted with our man from Hexham

[stevej60]

William Vickers (the man identified in post 6) has already been pciked up by the In From the Cold Project and is awaiting consideration by the National Army Museum. For info, case was submitted on 4/11/12. I don't readily have to hand the details of how we came across him.

That,s great news John lets hope he finally does come "in from the cold"

[singin]

Gents , Thank you so much for your knowledgeable and prompt responses and it seems that all this work has been done before, but it a pity that appears not yet that the details of these lads is available in the village. I will attempt to resolve this in the current year, ready for the 100 years remembrance.Great news that William Vickers will now 'come in from the cold'.

I will of course acknowledge the information provided by www.theygavetheirtoday.com and the Great War Forum Members.

Once again the GWF has come up trumps for me.

John Ellis