World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
Joshua Graham
Forename(s):
Joshua
Surname:
Graham
Initial(s):
J
Service Number:
270724
Rank:
Corporal
Regiment:
Yeomanry, Northumberland Yeomanry (Hussars)
Died:
29/07/1917
Aged:
34
Buried:
Dozinghem Military Cemetery
Service History:
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
Initially, Graham served in the 2nd Line Northumberland Hussars, which until April 1916, was engaged in coastal defence & training in England, & replaced casualties in the 1st Line units serving on the Western Front.
The 2nd Line was then split into individual Squadrons. 'C' Squadron was sent to Ireland on the outbreak of the East Monday Rebellion & remained in Ireland for 8 months. The Squadrons were reunited in February 1917, & sailed from Southampton on the night of 18-19 March for Flanders.
In July 1917, a party of Hussars was sent forward to Ypres, to undertake hazardous work by night, laying telephone cables in the forward area.
On the night of 12 July 1917, Ypres was shelled heavily by German artillery firing a new mustard gas shell. A British gas shell dump was hit, with the result that 'practically every living man in Ypres was knocked out'. 1,600 people were killed. Graham was one of 135 casualties from his unit, he died of his wounds on 29 July.
(Sources: 'The Valley Remembers'; Edited by Sandy Hunter; Upper Coquetdale WW1 Project; 2014; p. 66. Also, 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 37)
Background:
Born in 1893, the fourth of nine children of Richard Graham (by 1911 Farming at Pauperhaugh Farm, near Rothbury, Northumberland), by his wife, Jane Ann Graham (née Tennant), of North High Moor, Bockenfield, Felton, Northumberland.
There, their 3 sons - Joshua, Christopher (Kit), & Joseph (Joe) - all good horsemen, joined the Northumberland Hussars, 'C' Squadron, which was at Rothbury. All three went to Franch but only Kit & Joe returned unscathed.
(Sources: 'The Valley Remembers'; Edited by Sandy Hunter; Upper Coquetdale WW1 Project; 2014; p. 66. Also, 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 37)
Local Memorial:
Felton War Memorial incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston
Rothbury War Memorial
(Source: For Rothbury, newmp.org.uk)