Ernest Williamson

Forename(s):
Ernest

Surname:
Williamson

Initial(s):
E

Service Number:
20/1652

Rank:
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 20th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish)

Died:
01/07/1916

Aged:
41

Buried:
Thiepval Memorial

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

After initial battalion & brigade training at Alnwick Camp, Williamson's battalion moved to Ripon where, as part of 102nd Infantry Brigade, it joined 34th Division. After further training on Salisbury Plain, the Division proceeded to France in January 1915.

The Division took part in the ill-fated attack on German positions near La Boisselle, on 1 July 1916. After the detonation of two enormous underground mines at 07:28 hours on that day, the British advanced two minutes later. The Battalion had about 500 yards to cover before reaching German positions however they were met with withering machine gun & rife fire causing enormous casualties, of which Williamson was one.
(Source: Pauline Priano, via newmp.org.uk)

Background:
Born about 1875, at Sedgefield, County Durham, the eldest of three sons & three daughters of Thomas Williamson (b. about 1842; at Greatham, County Durham), by his wife, Emma Fenwick (b. about 1850). The couple were married at Chester-le-Street, County Durham in1874.

In 1881 they were living at 9, Tees Place, Hartlepool. At that time, Williamson's father was an Unemployed Inn Keeper. Ten years later, he was employed as a Farm Bailiff for a landowner, responsible for ensuring his tenant farmers kept their farms in a good state & paid their rents on time.

In 1891, Williamson (16) was employed as a Railway Company Clerk. His younger siblings were still at school.

Williamson continued to work for the railway company as a Canvasser, explaining the facilities available to companies & trying to secure their business. This role took him to Lancashire, where, in 1906, he was married at West Derby to Helen (Nellie) Thomas (b. 1877; at Browney Colliery, County Durham). They set up home at Heworth, near Gateshead, where, in 1911, they were living at 2, Stowell Street with their two years-old daughter, Maud.

During the Second Quarter of 1916, the birth of Williamson's second daughter, Louisa, was registered. Unfortunately, he never did not live to see her.
(Source: Pauline Priano, via newmp.org.uk)

Local Memorial:
Heworth, Memorial Plaque in St. Mary's Churchyard, on Shields Road / Felling Bypass (Source: newmp.org.uk)