Heroism and sacrifice

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, a bloody battle which claimed the lives of 516 South Tyneside men '“ 188 of whom lost their lives on the very first day of the conflict.
The Somme exhibition in South Shields Museum.The Somme exhibition in South Shields Museum.
The Somme exhibition in South Shields Museum.

As you know, thanks to historian Peter Hoy, we have been listing the names of those 188 soldiers as a tribute to their heroism and sacrifice.

Today, and over the next few days, we will continue to honour them and remember how they paid the ultimate price for their beliefs.

They are: –

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Lance-Corporal Alfred Madden, ‘D’ Company, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/1345), 1 July 1916, aged 28. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (4879).

Sergeant Alexander Malcolm, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/586), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (4880).

Lance-Sergeant William Robert Marling, 23/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (23/1114), 1 July 1916, aged 31. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (2703).

Lieutenant John Woodhall Marshall MC, 27/NF (Tyneside Irish), aged 24. Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle. IX.B.2. (5). (P).

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Private John Joseph Mason, ‘A’ Company, 23/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (23/967), 1 July 1916, aged 19 or 20. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (796).

Lance-Corporal James McAndrew, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/717), 1 July 1916, aged 23. Bécourt Military Cemetery, Bécordel-Bécourt. I.Q.14. (79). (P).

Lance-Corporal Michael McColl, ‘D’ Company, 25/NF (Tyneside Irish) (25/1178), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (647).

Private Matthew McDonald, ‘B’ Company, 26/NF (Tyneside Irish) (26/1126), 1 July 1916, aged 34 or 35. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (2213).

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Private William McEwan, 3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 16/NF (Newcastle Commercials) (16/971), 1 July 1916, aged 23. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (220). (P).

Private John George McGow, 16/Manchester Regt. (1st City) (6778), 1 July 1916, aged 24. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 13A and 14C. (1877).

Lance-Corporal Thomas McHugh, ‘B’ Company, 27/NF (Tyneside Irish) (27/442), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (685).

Private Frederick Henry McKenzie, 10/West Yorkshire Regt. (21785), 1 July 1916, aged 23. Fricourt New Military Cemetery. B.2. (3964).

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Private John McMullen, 1 Border Regt. (10996), 1 July 1916, aged 26 or 27. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 6A and 7C. (2845).

Private Archibald McNally, ‘A’ Company, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/946), 1 July 1916, aged 21. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (781).

Private D. Metcalf, 2 Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 16/NF (Newcastle Commercials) (16/1145), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. III.Q.2. (4452). (P).

Private Charles Ray Metcalfe, 2/King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (22739), 1 July 1916, aged 22. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 11C and 12A. (43). (P).

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Sapper William Milburn, 80th Field Company, Royal Engineers (47143), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 8A and 8D. (24). (P).

Private James Morgan, 23/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (23/1476), 1 July 1916, aged 32. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (411). (P).

Sapper James Mountain, 1st/1st Durham Fortress Company, Royal Engineers (1252), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 8A and 8D. (26). (P).

Private John Nelson, 1/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (24299), 1 July 1916, aged 18. Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. VII.F.16. (1887).

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Private Joseph Warden Newby, 2/West Yorkshire Regt. (19415), 1 July 1916, aged 18. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 2A, 2C and 2D. (803). (P).

Private James Nichol, 20/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (20/1506), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (244). (P).

Private Joseph O’Neill, 25/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (30/148), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (2673).

Private James Oxley, ‘A’ Company, 27/NF (Tyneside Irish) (27/559), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (688).

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Lance-Corporal Thomas Park, ‘C’ Company, 26/NF (Tyneside Irish) (26/1180), 1 July 1916, aged 23. Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. XI.D.1. (660).

Private William John Paulsen, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/758), 1 July 1916, aged 24. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (758). (P).

Private John Robert Pearce, ‘A’ Company, 22/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (22/1245), 1 July 1916, aged 18. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (785). (P).

Private James Phillips, 21/NF (Tyneside Scottish) (21/1151), 1 July 1916, aged 41. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 10B, 11B and 12B. (3127).

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Private Harry Powell, 18/Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals) (18/822), 1 July 1916, age unknown. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 14A and 15C. (134). (P).

Private George Prowse, 10/West Yorkshire Regt. (3/9450), 1 July 1916, aged 31. Thiépval Memorial. Pier and Face 2A, 2C and 2D. (121). (P).

An exhibition commemorating the battle, and the sacrifices of the local men, is now being staged at South Shields museum, where it will remain until mid-October.