Summary
252054 Private Mark Goliath Middlemass, 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was killed in action 27 October 1918 and is buried at Tezze British Cemetery, Italy.[1] He was 35 years old and commemorated on Evenwood War Memorial, the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood and the Memorial Plaque in Evenwood WMC.
Family Background
Mark Goliath Middlemass born in 1884 at Evenwood to John and Alice Middlemass. There were 5 children, all born at Evenwood:
- Mark Goliath bc.1884
- Elizabeth bc.1887
- Frederick bc.1889
- Mary Ada bc.1892
- Robert bc.1897
In 1891, 7 years old Mark lived with his grandparents Mark and Elizabeth Middlemass, his uncle 22 years old John Stokeld and aunt 17 years old Mary Ann Stokeld. His grandfather 60 year old Mark was a green grocer.[2] In 1901, 17 year old Mark lived with his widowed grandmother Elizabeth Middlemass with his Aunt Mary Stokeld and Uncles Robert and George Middlemass.[3] Mark worked as a coal miner (putter). His parents John and Alice, lived elsewhere in Evenwood with 14 years old Elizabeth, 12 years old Fred, 9 years old Mary and 4 years old Robert. [4]
Above: c.1905 The Middlemass family; Back: Mary Ada; John [father] Mark & Fred
Front: Jane Elizabeth; Alice [mother] Robert; Hannah [Mark’s wife]
In 1905, Mark aged 21 married Hannah Wigham then 19 years old [5] at Evenwood. Hannah came from Sacriston and worked at the Bay Horse PH in Manor Street, Evenwood as a housemaid. By 1911, they had one surviving child, Dorothy Alice aged 4 years. Mark worked as a coal miner (a hewer) and the family lived at Victoria Street, Evenwood. [6] Later, the family lived at 10 Stones Row, Evenwood and they had 4 children:
- Dorothy Alice, born 1907
- Mark born 1909 who died in childhood
- Elizabeth born 1911
- John born 1914
- Robert born 1916. [7]
Military Details
Private M.G. Middlemass served with the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry. In February 1916 a photo of Private M. Middlemass, 6/DLI of Stones End, Evenwood appeared in a local newspaper.[8] This service record has not been researched.
April/May 1918: Mark Middlemass re-joined the army. [9] He was reported as being on leave July 1918. [10] Private M. Middlemass enlisted at Bishop Auckland and served with the 12th Battalion, DLI and was given the regimental number 252054.[11] 12/DLI came under the orders of the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division.[12] The 68th Brigade comprised the following units:[13]
- 10th (Service) Bn., the Northumberland Fusiliers
- 11th (Service) Bn., the Northumberland Fusiliers
- 12th (Service) Bn., DLI
- 68th Machine Gun Company joined March 1916 moved into Divisional MG Battalion April 1918
- 68th Trench Mortar Battery formed June 1916
The Italians entered the war on the Allied side in May 1915. Commonwealth forces were at the Italian front between November 1917 and November 1918. The village of Tezze was captured by the Austrians in their advance in the autumn of 1917 and remained in their hands until the Allied forces crossed the River Piave at the end of 1918.
The Battle of Vittorio Veneto: 23 October – 4 November 1918:
An overview
21 October 1918: Commonwealth Forces comprising XIV Corps (7th and 23rd Divisions) took over the part of the River Piave from Salletuol to Pallazon serving as part of the Italian Tenth Army.
23 October: at night, the main channel of the river was crossed using small boats and the northern half of the island of Grava di Papadopoli was occupied, the occupation being completed two nights later by a combined Commonwealth and Italian force. After the capture of the island, the bridging of the Piave proceeded rapidly, although the strength of the current meant that the two bridges built for the crossing were frequently broken and many men were drowned. The Allied attack east of the Piave began early in the morning 27 October. Despite stiff resistance and difficulties with bringing forward supporting troops across the river, the Austrians were forced back over the next few days until the Armistice came into effect on 4 November.
There can be no doubt that the Allied forces led by the British heavily defeated the Austrians at Vittorio Veneto and this caused anxiety within the German High Command which influenced their decision to sign the Armistice 11 November 1918.
12/DLI: an account of action in October 1918 [14]
The War Diary includes the following details:
01.10.18 to 03.10.18: Battalion training
05.10.18: moved to Montecchio Maggiore
06.10.18: moved to Arzignano
14.10.18: entrained to Vicenza
15.10.18: detrained at Mestre, marched to billets at Mirano
21.10.18: marched from Mirano to Sambughe
22.10.18: marched from Sambughe to Treviso
23.10.18: marched from Treviso to Catena
24.10.18: moved up to Assembly Point A but returned to Catena.
27 October 1918:
“At 6.45am, the advance on to the Green Dotted Line commenced. Very deep, swift water was found in the most northerly area of the Piave and whilst wading this, the Battalion suffered heavily from MG fire, the leading Company losing nearly 50% of its strength. Companies reorganised and pressed forward, to be held up by uncut wire close to the objective, which was strongly held. The wire was cut most gallantly by various parties, amongst whom Capt. Gibbens MC DCM, Sgt O’Hara and Pte Brown were conspicuous. The Battalion pressed on, and C Company captured the first objective. D Company pushed on, overcoming all obstacles and captured the Red Dotted Line (second objective). A Company with B Company (now very weak) pushed steadily on and together captured Blue Dotted Line (the road from C. PadovantoC. Benedetti). Here orders were received as the Italians on the left of the Brigade had failed to cross the Piave, no further advance would be made. The Battalion organised a reserve near C. Borazzuni. Battalion HQ atC. Borazzuni. Major E. Borrow DSO was taken from the Battalion to command the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers, vice Lt-Col St. Hill DSO killed.
The Battalion this day captured 3 guns, 2 heavy Trench Mortars, 2 Tank Guns, several hundred prisoners and many machine guns. Our casualties were 2/Lts Hodgson and Fisher, killed; Capt Gibbens MC DCM, 2/Lts Smith and Wade wounded. RSM Burton DCM was killed after the capture of the first objective by a ricochet bullet. 27 other ranks killed, 111 wounded and 11 missing. The night was quiet.”
27 October: 252054 Private Mark Goliath Middlemass was killed in action. He is buried in the Tezze British Cemetery to the north of Treviso and Venice, north east Italy.[15] Many of those who died on the north-east side of the river during the Passage of the Piave are buried in Tezze British Cemetery.
28 October: at 12.30 the advance was resumed to the Borgo Pin – C. Gaiot. Considerable opposition from the enemy’s rear guard was met with and overcome. Many prisoners captured. Casualties 3 Other Ranks killed 20 wounded.
29 October: midnight – the crossing over the Monticano River, NE of Mareno was seized and the advance resumed with the objective being the Conegliano Cervaro road.
“At dark, about 18.00 hours, Battalion HQ with B Company seized the large strong house at K 34.50 52.25 (Vazzola 1/25000) about 200 yards short of the objective and determined to hold this point, and by holding it retain command of the ground won. Largely through the gallantry of L/Cpl Nelson, touch was regained with C and D Companies, and they were moved forward into position.
By 3.30am, the whole Battalion was in position close in rear of their objective with posts on the objective. So roughly had the Austrians been handled that under cover of darkness he abandoned his very strong position, leaving a battery of 5.9 inch guns in our hands. Many acts of gallantry were performed this day which will go unrecorded. A fine display of determination to succeed was given by every officer and soldier, and to this alone can success be attributed. Many prisoners were taken. Casualties this day: 7 ORs killed, 19 wounded, 2 missing. Lt W.M. Blenkinsop wounded.”
30 October: The 70th Brigade passed through our front and the 68th Brigade followed in Divisional Reserve…The Battalion went into billets at Orsago at 20.00 hours. Casualties this day: 2 Other Ranks, 3 Other Ranks wounded one missing.
31 October: marched to Sacile where we went into billets, the enemy opposition having been overcome:
“During the battle 27th-29th, the total loss of the Battalion was: 2 officers killed, 4 wounded. 39 ORs killed, 153 wounded, 14 missing. During the same period the Battalion captured 1020 prisoners, 18 horses, 7 GS limbers, 4 gun limbers, 46 machine guns,2 anti-tank guns, 2 Anti-Aircraft guns, 4 6-inch howitzers, 4 5.9 inch guns and 2 heavy Trench Mortars, vast quantities of ammunition of all calibres.”
Later research records the following deaths:
- 27 October: Major H. West died of wounds, 2/Lt. J. Hodgson killed in action, 38 Other Ranks killed in action.
- 28 October: 4 Other Ranks killed in action, 2 Other Ranks died of wounds
- 29 October: 9 Other Ranks killed in action
- 30 October: 1 Other Ranks killed in action, 2 Other Ranks died of wounds
- 2 November: Lt. N.B. Hall died of wounds, 1 Other Rank died of wounds
Total killed in action and died of wounds: 3 Officers and 57 Other Ranks.[16] Lieut. H.L. Fisher died 27 October 1918 and is buried at Tezze cemetery. [17]
There can be no doubt that the Allied forces led by the British heavily defeated the Austrians at Vittorio Veneto which caused great anxiety within the German High Command and influenced their decision to sign the Armistice 11 November 1918.
Private M.G. Middlemass was awarded the British War and Victory medals.[18]
Burial
Private Mark Middlemass is buried at grave reference is Plot1 Row C, Grave 5, Tezze British Cemetery. The cemetery now contains 356 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.[19]
Commemorations
Private Mark Goliath Middlemass is commemorated on Evenwood War Memorial, the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood and the Memorial Plaque in Evenwood WMC.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Carole Kirby, (Cockfield), John Middlemass, (Nottingham) & Joan Nichol (Evenwood).
REFERENCES
[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission
[2] 1891 census
[3] 1901census
[4] 1901 census
[5] Family details 10 June 1905
[6] 1911 census
[7] Family details
[8] Northern Echo or Auckland and County Chronicle February 1916
[9] Evenwood Parish Magazine May 1918
[10] Evenwood Church Magazine August & September 1918
[11] Soldiers Died in the Great War
[12] http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm
[13] http://www.1914-1918.net/23div.htm
[14] www.1914-1918.net/Diaries/wardiary-12dli.htm (copyright Chris Baker) – extract from 12/DLI War Diary which is held in the Public Record Office, document WO95/4236
[15] CWGC
[16] Officers & Soldiers Died in the Great War
[17] CWGC
[18] Medal Roll
[19] CWGC
EVENWOOD RAMSHAW & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY 