Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Marfaux British Cemetery | VII.D.6 | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.136 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 50C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Herbert Walker Summerson was born 21 September 1889 [2] at Cockfield, the oldest son of Herbert William and Alice Summerson. There were 7 children, all born at Cockfield:Herbert Walker born 1889
Clara bc.1890
Mary bc.1893
William bc.1894
Maurice bc.1896
Gladys bc.1897
Alice bc.1898
In 1901, the family lived at Garden House and Herbert William is recorded as a “colliery owner”. The Summersons were well-established local entrepreneurs who worked the quarry on Cockfield Fell and numerous coal mines in the area such as Holly Moor Colliery to the west of Cockfield.
Education & Career :
Bishop Auckland Grammar School
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 9th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment |
| Action : The First Battles of the Somme 1918 and associated actions |
21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.
20 January 1917: Corporal H.W. Summerson submitted his application for a temporary commission using the form for candidates serving in the ranks of the New Armies, Special Reserve or Territorial Force. It is recorded that he had previously served with 28th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and the Northumberland Fusiliers. At this time, he was posted to the 17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers with the BEF in France. The 17th [Service] Battalion [North Eastern Railway Pioneers] Northumberland Fusiliers entered France in November 1915 and was attached as Divisional Troops to 32nd Division.
27 February 1917: he was sent to the UK for the purpose of joining an Officer Cadet Unit. He was admitted to No.18 OC Battalion at Bath.
28 September 1917: appointed as Temporary Second Lieutenant, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
13 April 1918: admitted to No.8 Red Cross Hospital, Boulogne – GSW right leg, slight.
16 April 1918: transferred to 24 General Hospital, Etaples.
26 April 1918: discharged
Detail :
5 June 1918: Died of wounds at Advanced Dressing Station, 75th Field Ambulance
19 June 1918: The Teesdale Mercury reported as follows:
By his blithe, cheery and gentlemanly bearing, he having practised in the courts at Barnard Castle for a series of years, the late Lieut. H.W. Summerson, of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who died of wounds in France, will be greatly missed in local forensic and social circles. The deceased officer was the son of Mr. Herbert Summerson, Garden House, Cockfield and nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Summerson of Fairfield, Galgate, Barnard Castle. Lieut. Summerson was in practise as a solicitor at Bishop Auckland and Darlington and to the honour and memory be it said, he enlisted as a private soldier, about 2 years ago. He was at one time in the office of Mr. T. Dowling, now a major in the Army Service Corps with whom he served his articles. Lieut. Summerson has fallen in the prime of life, he being but 28 years of age. By his suavity of manners and genial disposition he was everywhere esteemed and in local sport he was conspicuously and deservedly popular. Much regret is expressed at his early demise.
Burial
Second Lieutenant H.W. Summerson is buried at grave reference VII.D.6 Marfaux British Cemetery. Marfaux is 18.5kms from Rheims. The cemetery was begun after the Armistice for the concentration of graves from the battlefield and other military cemeteries in the Marne, the vast majority of whom fell between May and August 1918. There are over 100 burials, of which over 300 are unidentified. Second Lieutenant H.W. Summerson was originally buried at Jonchery-sur-Vessel.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Vane No. 3110 E.C. | Durham |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
11th December 1914 | 12th March 1914 | 14th May 1914 |
He was Initiated on the 11th December 1914; Passed 12th March 1915 and Raised on the 14th May 1915.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley