Summary
51585 Private Ralph Heaviside, 22nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) died of wounds 6 September 1918 and is buried at Pernes British Cemetery, France.[1] He was 18 years old and is commemorated on the Evenwood War Memorial and the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood.
Family Details
Ralph was born in 1899 [2] at Evenwood to Richard and Mary Elizabeth Heaviside. [3] There were 8 children:
- Mary Hannah bc.1892 at Evenwood
- Margaret bc.1894 at Evenwood
- Maud bc.1896 at Evenwood
- Susannah (Cissy) bc.1898 at Evenwood
- Ralph bc.1899 at Evenwood
- John George bc.1903 at Evenwood
- William bc.1905 at Toft Hill
- Phoebe bc.1907 at Toft Hill
The 1901 census confirms that the Heaviside family lived at Alpine Terrace, Evenwood and 33 year old Richard worked as a “yeast agent” [own account].[4] By 1911, the family lived at the 26 the Oaks, Evenwood and 43 year old Richard worked as a coal miner (hewer).[5]
Military Details
Ralph Heaviside enlisted at Sunderland and was posted to the 22nd Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and given the regimental number 51585.[6]
5 November 1914: The 22nd (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers also known as the 3rd Tyneside Scottish was formed at Newcastle. In June 1915, it was attached to the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division.[7] In May 1918, after suffering heavy casualties, it was reduced to cadre strength.
July 1918: The refitted battalion came under the orders of the 148th Brigade, 6th (Irish) Division which landed in France. [8] At this time, the 48th Brigade comprised: [9]
- 8/9th Bn., the Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined October 1917
- 22nd Bn., the Northumberland Fusiliers
- 18th Bn., Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
- 11th Bn., Royal Irish Fusiliers absorbed by 5th Bn., 29 August 1918
- 5th Bn., Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 25 August 1918
The service details of Private R. Heaviside and the War Diary of the 22nd Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers have not been researched therefore the circumstances of his death are unknown. It is likely that Private R. Heaviside entered France with 22/NF and the 48th Brigade in July 1918. The 16th (Irish) Division was involved in the Final Advance in Artois 2 October to 11 November 1918. Private R. Heaviside died before this action. He died of wounds 6 September 1918. Later research records that 22/NF lost 7 Other Ranks on this day. [10] Given that there were several casualties, shell fire is probably the most likely cause.
Private R. Heaviside was awarded the British War and Victory medals.[11]
Burial
Private Ralph Heaviside is buried at grave reference VI.A.32 Pernes British Cemetery which operated from April 1918 when the 1st and 4th Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations came to area. They were joined by the 6th, 13th and 22nd Casualty Clearing Stations and almost all the burials were made by these units. A few graves were brought into the cemetery after the Armistice.[12] There are 1,075 First World War burials.
Mrs. M.E. Heaviside provided the following epitaph: [13]
Far From Home
He Lies At Rest
We Miss Him Most
Who Loved Him Best
Commemorations
Private R. Heaviside is commemorated on the Evenwood War Memorial and the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood. Ralph Heaviside, at 18 years of age, was the youngest man from Evenwood to be killed in the Great War.
Family Headstone
The headstone for Richard and Mary Elizabeth Heaviside includes the following epitaph:
And of their beloved sons
RALPH killed in action in Germany
6th September 1918 aged 18 years
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
the late Mike Heaviside, Cockfield
REFERENCES
[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission
[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.271 Auckland 1899 Q1
[3] 1901 census Mary 1911 census Elizabeth
[4] 1901 census
[5] 1911 census
[6] Soldiers Died in the Great War
[7] http://www.1914-1918.net/northfus.htm
[8] http://www.1914-1918.net/34div.htm
[9] http://www.1914-1918.net/16div.htm
[10] Soldiers Died in the Great War
[11] Medal Roll
[12] CWGC
[13] CWGC
EVENWOOD RAMSHAW & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY 