[ YOU ARE HERE: Houghton Heritage > Articles > Houghton at War > War Graves ]
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. |
![]() |
This memorial commemorates one Second World War casualty: 4443470 L.SJT J. FISHER
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.
|
Commemorated on: [Book of Remembrance]; [CWGC headstone, Durham Rd Cemetery];
![]() |
This memorial commemorates one World War I casualty: 13711 PRIVATE A.E MOSS
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];
![]() |
This lone memorial commemorates two World War I casualties, two brothers: 1768 LANCE CPL W.T SMITH
69035 PRIVATE J.B SMITH
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];
![]() |
These are alternative commemorations for four lads buried at Hillside Cemetery. Copyright © Books of the North 2008. |
For more information about these four War casualties, visit this article about them at Hillside Cemetery.
If you have enjoyed this article and would like to make a donation towards the website's costs please click below:
:: Thanks go to David Symons, Val Sargeson and Liz Catherwood of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - www.cwgc.org
The Poppy Appeal - www.poppy.org.uk
The War Graves Photographic Project - www.twgpp.org
[ YOU ARE HERE: Houghton Heritage > Articles > Houghton at War > War Graves ]
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.
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
A cemetery targeted by tomb-wrecking vandals is the final resting place of four First World War soldiers who are honoured each Remembrance Day.
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