COCKFIELD MEN SERVING WITH THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS [R.A.M.C.]

The Northern Echo June 24 1915:

“They’ve painted “Our Little Grey Home in the West” on the wall behind them, which was the title of one of the biggest songs of the day – indeed, the late Queen Mother once said it was her favourite song in her youth.”

Back Row:

Pte. F. Nodding and P. Sewell of Cockfield, Pte. F. Pigdon of Darlington and Pte. G. Hall of Cockfield.

Front Row:

Ptes. J. Robson, N. Raine and J. Clennell of Cockfield and Corporal Wilson of Bishop Auckland

It is believed that they all served with the Territorial Force being posted to 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. which was attached to the 50th [Northumbrian] Division and entered France, 19/20 April 1915.  The Cockfield men in the photo are:

• 388327 [1780] NODDING Frederick [aged 30 when the photo was taken]
• 388306 [1749] SEWELL Victor Grieveson [21]
• 388329 [1784] HALL George [28]
• 388256 [1676] ROBSON Joseph William [22]
• 426336 [2535] RAINE George Henry [42]
• 388330 [1786] CLENNELL John Edward [29]

Further details are given below:

FREDERICK “FRED” NODDING 1885 – 1962

Frederick Nodding was born in 1885 at Staindrop and moved to Cockfield to work as a coal miner.  He was a territorial soldier, serving for over 5 years.  He was 30 years old when posted to the Western Front, April 1915 to September 1916.  There were 2 other periods in France and Belgium, between April 1917 and September 1918 and between October and December 1918.  He and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.  He died in 1962 aged 77 at Cockfield.

VICTOR GRIEVESON SEWELL 1893 – 1967

Victor Sewell was born in 1893 at Lands Bank, lived at Burnt Houses and Cockfield and worked as a coal miner.  He was a territorial soldier, serving for over 5 years.  He was 21 years old when posted to the Western Front in April 1915 where he served until the end of the war, having only 2 periods of leave, only once back home.  He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.  He died in 1967 aged 73 at Cockfield.

GEORGE HALL 1886 – ?

George Hall was born in 1886 at Cockfield and worked as a coal miner.  He was a territorial soldier, aged 28 when he entered France to serve on the Western Front from April 1915 to the end of the war.  Private G. Hall was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.  We have not traced his service records or any post war details.

JOSEPH “JOE” WILLIAM ROBSON M.M. 1893 – 1943

Joseph William Robson was born 1893 at Eggleston and lived at Burnt Houses.  He was a miner at New Copley Colliery, Cockfield.  Joe Robson was a territorial soldier, serving over 5 years.  He entered France when aged 22 and served on the Western Front from April 1915 to February 1919 with only 1 period of leave [15 days].  He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals. It seems likely that in the early 1920’s Joe moved away from Cockfield in search of secure employment and settled in Crookhall in the north west Durham where he married Margaret Bowman.  He died in 1943 aged 50.

GEORGE HENRY RAINE 1873 – 1925

George Henry Raine was born 1873 at Barnard Castle and lived at Cockfield and Esperley Lane.  He worked as a coal miner.  He was 42 years old when he entered France in April 1915 where he served until the end of the war.  He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals and the War Badge which was awarded the soldiers wounded or injured during their military service.  He died in 1925 aged 52.

JOHN “JACK” EDWARD CLENNELL 1886 – 1952

John Edward Clennell was born in 1886 at Ryhope, lived at Evenwood and Cockfield and worked as a miner.  He was a territorial soldier and served over 5 years.  He was 29 years old when he entered France, serving 2 periods on the Western Front, from April 1915 to November 1917, returning home having been gassed and from March 1918 to the end of the war.  He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory medals.  After the war, he and his family moved to Ashington, Northumberland presumably in search for regular work in coal mining.  He died in 1952 aged 66.