'A Poppy for a Soldier' appeal extended as Darlington students tell stories of town's war heroes

Find out more about the North-East's involvement in the First World War at thenortheastatwar.co.uk

Gunner Harold Wright - by Rebecca Dew

Local hero Harold Wright of North Road died at the age of just 21 whilst serving in the Army with the 87th Battery Royal Field Artillery, over 100 years ago on the 12th of August 1915. He is buried in Ypres, Belgium, where he was killed in battle serving his country.

Ranked as a gunner during his service, Wright previously worked as a cartman for a local builder from 1911 until he was called upon, and lived on North Road with his younger brother, two elder sisters and was the son of Thomas and the late Francis Wright. Their home has now been converted to the Goods Exchange, a vintage and second-hand shop.

Having lived and worked in the Darlington area all of his life before serving in the forces, Wright is a true representative of the town’s many heroes that gave their lives for the country.

Private John William Young - by Andrew Young

Private John William Young worked for the North Eastern Railway as a copper turner at North Road Works in Darlington for 10-and-a-half years before enlisting in the Army. He was a private in Durham Light Infantry and part of the 10th Battalion, 43rd Brigade.

John Young died in Ypres on December 14, 1915, as part of the Allied forces defending the area from a German onslaught. He was 28 years old.

His final diary entry reads “St. Jean on northeast outskirts of Ypres. Were heavily shelled in front trenches from 1.10pm to 3.45pm. Aeroplanes very active”.

He was survived by his wife Annie Young and his parents Charles and Margaret Young. Annie lived in Potter’s Yard Bondgate before eventually moving to Hartlepool. Charles and Margaret lived in Priestgate.

John himself was born in Cockerton and lived there before moved to  Potter’s Yard with Annie. However, both these houses no longer stand, having been demolished in later years.

Like many soldiers who fought in the Ypres Salient, John Young’s body was never recovered. Instead he was commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres as one of the 54,395 Commonwealth soldiers whose body could not be found or identified. His name is inscribed on panels 36 and 38 of the memorial.

Harold Bailey Armstrong - by Autumn Embleton

By 1918, after four long years in battle, many soldiers were overwhelmed with the thought of being reunited with their loved ones. However, for the many brave soldiers that fought and won, there were also those who sadly didn’t make it to victory day. Private Harold Bailey Armstrong, 19, was one of those men.

Armstrong’s last day of battle was on August 9, 1918, after being gassed on the battlefields of France. He was sent to Dover Military Hospital along with four other officers and 90 Ranks whom were all suffering from gas poisoning. After spending all of three weeks in Dover Military Hospital, Harold Bailey Armstrong passed away on the August 30, 1918, just months away from victory.

Prior to his duty in World War One, Private Harold Bailey Armstrong was also part of the Head Office Officials for Pease and Partners Limited. Armstrong is referenced, amongst many other workmen and officials, in the Memorial and Record European War, 1914-1918 book.

The book itself is intended to be a permanent memorial of the officials and workmen of Pease and Partners Limited, who have laid down their lives in the cause of King and Country, and also a record of all who served in His Majesty’s Forces during the Great War. Private Armstrong was one of the 12 officials in the Head Office who died on service.

The young male lived on Pierremont Crescent, in Darlington, with his sister and parents, Mary Bailey, Isabella and Joseph Armstrong. Only weeks after Private Armstrong was born he was baptised in Holy Trinity Church, Darlington on May 28, 1899.

Private Harold Bailey Armstrong was buried in his home town in Darlington's West Cemetery. Private Armstrong wasn’t married and had no children. 

Private Bertram Whitfield – by Rebecca Parkinson

On November 11 1918, World War 1 was declared over. Celebrations were happening across the world. Yet for those on the frontline, news of the Armistice didn’t come till 11am. To them, it was another day of fighting – many men were sent to war and many died. This is the story of one of those men.

Private Bertram Whitfield, born 1899, was 19 years old when he tragically died of pneumonia on the 11th November 1918 – Armistice Day. Whitfield is said to have died at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, which now holds many Commonwealth War and German cemeteries. Bertram was buried on the November 19 1918 at Darlington North Cemetery.

He was born in Colburn, Richmond, and  was survived by parents William, a gardener,  and Alice, of 5 Livingstone Buildings on High Northgate in Darlington, step mother Fanny as well as his three younger sisters, Miriam, Violet and Dorothy, and younger brother and step brother, R William Whitfield and James Tate.

Before enlisting into the Army, Private Bertram Whitfield was a school student. Bertram didn’t have a lengthy career in the Army, as he enlisted just 13 days before the end of the war. Private Bertram Whitfield was a member of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), and his service number was 191252.

Whether those men who served their country for weeks, months or years, everyone who risked their lives mattered. The poppies people wear are a permanent sign of remembrance and thanks for their bravery and sacrifice.

May they never be forgotten.

Almost 1,000 soldiers have already been honoured and Darlington Crown Street Library has extended the appeal until the end of November.