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War Graves at Houghton-le-Spring Cemetery: Remembered with Honour

There are 38 War casulaties buried in Houghton-le-Spring, commemorated with 27 headstones - not every fallen soldier made it home to Houghton for burial. Details from the headstones can be found below. Entries are in alphabetical order of surname and the locations of the memorials can be matched to this cemetery plan.

If you can provide further information, please get in touch.

 

 

Lance Serjeant John FISHER

War grave for Lance Serjeant John FISHER, Houghton-le-Spring

This memorial commemorates one Second World War casualty:

4443470 L.SJT J. FISHER
THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
31ST MAY 1940 AGE 33

A TRUE AND GALLANT SOLDIER WHOSE MEMORY WILL NEVER DIE. REST IN PEACE.


Copyright © Books of the North 2011.

This memorial is located in Section [A].

John was the son of George and Esther Fisher, and left a widow, Elsie Fisher.
CWGC website states his grave is in section K, however there is no such section in the cemetery.

Commemorated on: [Book of Remembrance]; [CWGC headstone, Durham Rd Cemetery];

 

 

Private Albert Ernest MOSS

War grave for Private A.E MOSS, Houghton-le-Spring

This memorial commemorates one World War I casualty:

13711 PRIVATE A.E MOSS
YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
24TH JULY 1916 AGE 24


Copyright © Books of the North 2008.

This memorial is located in Section [C].

Albert Ernest Moss was the son of George W and Mary A Moss of 14 Sunniside South, Houghton-le-Spring.

Commemorated on: [CWGC headstone, Durham Rd Cemetery];

 

 

Lance CPL W.T SMITH & Private J.B SMITH

War grave for Lance CPL W.T SMITH & Private J.B SMITH, Houghton-le-Spring

This lone memorial commemorates two World War I casualties, two brothers:

1768 LANCE CPL W.T SMITH
DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
12TH NOVEMBER 1918 AGED 32

69035 PRIVATE J.B SMITH
NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
5TH MARCH 1921 AGED 21

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS


Copyright © Books of the North 2008.

This memorial is located in Section [C].

These were the sons of George and Annie Smith of 63 Outram Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

Commemorated on: [Houghton-le-Spring Cenotaph]; [CWGC headstone, Durham Rd Cemetery];

 

 

Privates PLACE, WHEATLEY, RICHARDSON & Gunner PLACE

Alternative commemorations for the four lads who are buried in the dilapidated Hillside Cemetery

These are alternative commemorations for four lads buried at Hillside Cemetery. Copyright © Books of the North 2008.


These memorials are located in Section [C].

For more information about these four War casualties, visit this article about them at Hillside Cemetery.

 

 

 

Article and research by Paul Lanagan, local historian

If you have enjoyed this article and would like to make a donation towards the website's costs please click below:

 

Paul Lanagan wishes to place on record his thanks to the following:

:: Thanks go to David Symons, Val Sargeson and Liz Catherwood of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

No responsibility can be held for external links:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - www.cwgc.org

The Poppy Appeal - www.poppy.org.uk

The War Graves Photographic Project - www.twgpp.org

 

 

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PAGE UPDATED: 19/08/2011

Details of the War Graves in Houghton-le-Spring Cemetery. COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES Until 1962 the there were 4 war graves located at Hillside. However due to the site becoming overgrown and neglected the War Graves Commission decided to move the headstones and they were re-located at the municipal cemetery on Durham Road, Houghton Le Spring.Frederick Henry Place Gunner Frederick Henry Place died 4th February 1919 age 28 years. His service number was 98005 and he served as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. Frederick William Wheatley Private Frederick William Wheatley died on 29th July 1918 aged 28 years. His service number was 34611 and he served with the 9th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was the son of John and Mary Jane Wheatley of 9 Ewe Hill Farm, Fence Houses.Arthur Ernest Richardson Private Arthur Ernest Richardson died 5th March 1919 aged 24 years. His service number was 22/530 and he served with the 3rd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. He was the son of Charles and Mary Richardson.James Place Private James Place died on 12th October 1916 age 19 years. His service number was 20880 and he served in the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. He was the son of Joseph and Alice Place of 77 Sunderland Street, Houghton Le Spring.
A cemetery targeted by tomb-wrecking vandals is the final resting place of four First World War soldiers who are honoured each Remembrance Day.

Name: SMITH Initials: W T Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry Age: 32 Date of Death: 12/11/1918 Service No: 1768 Additional information: Son of George and Annie Smith, of 63, Outram St., Houghton-le-Spring. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: C. "U." 478. Cemetery: HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING (DURHAM ROAD) CEMETERY

Name: SMITH Initials: J B Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers Age: 21 Date of Death: 05/03/1921 Service No: 69035 Additional information: Son of George and Annie Smith, of 63, Outram St., Houghton-le-Spring. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: C. "U." 478. Cemetery: HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING (DURHAM ROAD) CEMETERY

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 ALLEN, RONALD BURNIP, R B Sergeant ( Air Gnr ) 1448941 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 20/08/1943 37 Sec. D. Grave 2827. 2 CAMPBELL, JAMES SINCLAIR, J S Sick Berth Attendant P/SBR/X 6844 Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve 24/08/1942 34 Sec. B. Grave 2014.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 FISHER, JOHN, J Lance Serjeant 4443470 Durham Light Infantry 31/05/1940 33 Sec. K. Grave 3309.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 GREATHEAD, JOSEPH, J Corporal 490 Durham Light Infantry 03/10/1916 46 D. 2426. 2 HUTCHINSON, ERNEST JAMES ALLEN, E J A Private D/10590 Durham Light Infantry 29/12/1944 57 Sec. D. Grave 2672.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 LAWS, WILLIAM RONALD, W R Driver 14404060 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 02/09/1944 21 Sec. E. Grave 1058. 2 LEECH, JOHN ROBERT, J R Gunner 202418 Royal Field Artillery 17/03/1918 35 D "C." 2341. 3 LIDFORD , R Bombardier 45029 Royal Garrison Artillery 27/12/1920 31 F. "C." 2887.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 MACKAY, WILLIAM, W Gunner 45186 Royal Field Artillery 23/03/1921 31 D. "C." 2494. 2 MOSS, ALBERT EDWARD, A E Private 13711 Yorkshire Regiment 24/07/1916 24 C. " U." 479.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 PARKIN, JOHN L., J L Gunner 14159697 Royal Artillery 03/10/1947 19 Sec. B. Grave 2116. 2 PEARCE, JOHN GEORGE, J G Gunner 880965 Royal Artillery 17/10/1941 22 Sec. D. Grave 2807. 3 PLACE, FREDERICK HENRY, F H Gunner 98005 Royal Garrison Artillery 04/02/1919 Unknown Spec. Memorial. 4 PLACE, JAMES, J Private 20880 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 12/10/1916 19 Spec. Memorial. 5 RICHARDSON , B Corporal 1482 Durham Light Infantry 02/01/1915 Unknown F. "C." 2970. 6 RICHARDSON , A E Private 22/530 Durham Light Infantry 05/03/1919 24 Spec. Memorial. 7 ROBSON , L Guardsman 5773 Coldstream Guards 21/03/1921 Unknown D "C". 2451.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 SMITH , W T Lance Corporal 1768 Durham Light Infantry 12/11/1918 32 C. "U." 478. 2 SMITH, WILLIAM EDWARD, W E Private 3602890 Lincolnshire Regiment 13/01/1946 Unknown Sec. D. Grave 2732. 3 SMITH , J B Private 69035 Northumberland Fusiliers 05/03/1921 21 C. "U." 478. 4 SMITH, RALPH STANLEY, R S Leading Aircraftman ( Pilot U/T ) 1378993 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 28/07/1941 20 Sec. A. Grave 58. 5 TINKLER, ROBERT WILLIAM, R W Gunner 1590576 Royal Artillery 10/01/1943 Unknown Sec. E. Grave 937. 6 TURNER , F P Private S4/038979 Army Service Corps 25/12/1914 31 D. "C." 2382.

No Name Rank Service Regiment Date Of Death Age Grave/Memorial Ref. 1 WATSON, JOHN GEORGE ADDISON, J G A Flight Sergeant ( Pilot ) 1043277 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 17/12/1943 22 Sec. D. Grave 2789. 2 WHEATLEY, FREDERICK WILLIAM, F W Private 34611 York and Lancaster Regiment 29/07/1918 29 Spec. Memorial. 3 WILLIAMSON, MAURICE, M Flying Officer ( Pilot ) 159578 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 05/08/1944 32 Sec. B. Grave 2114. 4 WRIGHTSON, FRED, F Driver T/14554134 Royal Army Service Corps 23/06/1943 18 Sec. B. Grave 2288. Houghton Cemetery Directions:- Approaching from Sunderland on the A690, take the A182 slip road on Houghton Cut. Proceed straight ahead at the roundabout and turn left at next roundabout A182 signposted Hetton le Hole. Follow the A182 for about 1/4 mile. The Cemetery is on the Right. Houghton Cemetery, Durham Road, Houghton le Spring, Tyne & Wear DH5 8NF (Grid Reference 434243, 549084) The Cemetery, originally opened in Durham Road on the 1st March 1892, The grounds extended over an area of 5 acres and at the entrance a handsome half-timbered lodge was built. The area of the cemetery was enclosed by a wrought iron fence. The total cost was £4000. Over the years the cemetery has been extended and it now covers an area from Durham Road through to Hetton Road.

Allen, Ronald Burnip - 10 Sqdn. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Bell, Robert - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Boreham, William J M - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Campbell, James Sinclair - H.M.S. Glasgow. Royal Naval Aux Sick Berth Reserve. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Cowler, Thomas William - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Fisher, John - 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Greathead, Joseph - 1st/8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Hutchinson, Ernest James Allen - Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Jarvis, William - Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Kennedy, Robert - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Kennedy, William - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Laws, William Ronald - Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Leech, John Robert - Royal Field Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Lidford, R - Royal Garrison Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery MacKay, William - Royal Field Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Moss, Albert Edward - C Coy. 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Naisbitt, Francis - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Parkin, John L. - 35 Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Pattrick, Fred - Royal Army Service Corps - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Pearce, John George - Royal Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Place, Frederick Henry - Royal Garrison Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Place, James - 6th Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Pratt, Thomas - Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Richardson, A E - 3rd Bn. Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Richardson, B - 1st/8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Robson, L - Coldstream Guards. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Smith, J B - Northumberland Fusiliers. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Smith, Ralph Stanley - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Smith, W T - Durham Light Infantry. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Smith, William Edward - Lincolnshire Regiment. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Tinkler, Robert William - 410 Bty. 53 (5th Bn. The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Searchlight Regt. Royal Artillery. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Turner, F P - Army Service Corps. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Watson, John George Addison - 138 Sqdn. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Wheatley, Frederick William - 9th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Wilkinson, John - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Wilkinson, William Henry - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Williamson, Maurice - - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery Wrightson, Fred - Royal Army Service Corps. - Houghton-Le-Spring (Durham Road) Cemetery
Casualties as per screen layout Cemetery ID: 03543 Cemetery Name: HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING (DURHAM ROAD) CEMETERY Casualty Name Marker Add. Burials Remarks Material Location War Maintained County: OS Map Ref: Last Inspection Date: Works Features: Category: TYNE & WEAR 10/02/2010 88/341491 Overall Risk Assessment: 1 MAINTAINED FOC BY CITY OF SUNDERLAND CAMPBELL J S B.2014 CH Portland WW2 0 FOC L/T TURNER F P D.2382 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. LEECH J R Portland 1 2 short white marble kerbs laid at foot of CH D.2341 CH/PM WW1 FOC PARKIN J L 0 White marble headstone 1m x 0,80. 8 Rows front of Leech. B.2116 PM WW2 FOC WRIGHTSON F 1 Granite headstone 1m x 0,60. 2 Rows front, 2 graves right from Leech. B.2288 PM WW2 FOC WILLIAMSON M 2 Black marble headstone 1m x 0,80. 8 Rows front (across path), 3 graves left from Leech. B.2114 PM WW2 FOC GREATHEAD J D.2426 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. MACKAY W D.2382 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. ROBSON L Stancliffe 1 White marble headstone 0,80 x 0,80. 1 Row rear, 5 graves right from MACKAY. D.2451 CH WW1 FOC HUTCHINSON E J A D.2672 CH Portland WW2 0 FOC L/T. SMITH W E D.2732 CH Portland WW2 0 FOC L/T. WATSON J G A D.2789 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC L/T. PEARCE J G D.2807 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC L/T. ALLEN R B D.2827 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC L/T. LIDFORD R F.2887 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. RICHARDSON B F.2970 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. LAWS W R E.1058 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC L/T. TINKLER R W 0 2' x 1 ' F/S headstone with slate plaque. 1 Rear & 8 right of Laws. E.937 PM WW2 FOC MOSS A E C.479 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC L/T. SMITH J B C.478 CH Stancliffe WW1 0 FOC 1 x ch commem JB and WT Smith SMITH W T C.478 WW1 1 FOC 1 X ch commem JB and WT Smith ZERO FOR STATS PURPOSES CLASSED AS BURIED IN CEM 3545 WHEATLEY F W Portland Buried in St Michaels Church BG. L/T. Place J, Place F, Richardson A and Wheatley F counted as 1 x cm for maint purposes. SM WW2 FOC RICHARDSON A E SM Portland WW2 FOC Buried in St Michaels Church BG.L/T. PLACE J Portland 0 (Buried in St.Michaels Church B.G.) L/T SM WW2 FOC PLACE F H SM Portland WW2 FOC Buried in St Michaels Church BG. L/T. 22/08/2011 7:20 pm Page 1 of 2 Casualties as per screen layout MAINTAINED FOC BY CITY OF SUNDERLAND FISHER J K.3309 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC Level turf. SMITH R S A.58 CH Botticino WW2 0 FOC Level turf. 22/08/2011 7:20 pm Page 2 of 2