Sowerby B.

BERTIE SOWERBY (1893-1917)

346005 Private Bertie Sowerby, 215^th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps died 31 December 1917 and is buried in Lynesack (St. John) Churchyard.[1] He was 24 years old and is commemorated on Copley War Memorial and the Memorial Plaque in St. John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack.

Family Details

Bertie Sowerby was born 1893 at Staindrop the son of Margaret Sowerby.[2] In 1901, 7 year old Bertie lived with his uncle and aunt, Francis and Mary Sowerby at Stainton Lane, Marwood near Barnard Castle. Francis was a “hind” working on a farm. [3] Francis was Margaret’s younger brother and in 1891, the Sowerby family lived at Old Lodge in the Parish of Raby & Keverston near Staindrop. This may have been one of the tied cottages associated with the Raby Estate of Lord Barnard. Margaret worked as a dressmaker.[4] By 1911, 17 year old Bertie lived with his mother and Mark Chapman, a 47 year old farmer working Copley Farm near Butterknowle. Bertie was employed as a “farmer”.[5]

Service Details

Bertie Sowerby enlisted at Seaham into the Durham Light Infantry and was allocated the regimental number 32094. He was later transferred to the Labour Corps, number 346005 serving with the 215^th Divisional Employment Company.[6] The service records of Private B. Sowerby have not been traced and the circumstances of his death are unknown.

31 December 1917: Private B. Sowerby died at Frensham Hill Military Hospital, Farnham, Surrey aged 24.[7] Frensham Hill was built in 1902 for the Charrington brewing family and during WW1 was used as a military hospital then in the 1920’s converted to a school, now known as Frensham Heights School.[8]

Private B. Sowerby was awarded the British War and Victory medals.[9]

Burial

346005 Private Bertie Sowerby is buried at grave reference 611, Lynesack (St. John) Churchyard.

References:

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.268 Teesdale 1893 Q3

[3] 1901 census

[4] 1891 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] Soldiers Died in the Great War

[7] Funeral Card

[8] Viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk