Recent Posts

I have been away from this great site for quite a while hmm about three years or there about.

Its great to be back and I look forward to all the new topics with interest.

And to contribute to this great forum.

Its great to see that its still going strong I helped in some small way with its design and implementation nice php coding M8 you know who u are.

Ps the elastic resizing awesome works a treat despite many a long night  with coffee in hand.

Best wishes History Buff

Have any members got any stories from the war from relatives? If so why not share them with us. Lets get the FORUM Buzzing Again.

Details of the action for which Captain Donald Addison of Blyth [then Lieutenant] was awarded the Military Cross in March, 1945, show that through his courage and determination more than 70 prisoners were taken.
He was commanding the dismounted party of a Reconnaissance Squadron near Weeze in Germany and in the early hours of the morning was ordered to take up a position on the open flank of an infantry battalion. In attempting to get into their position his troops came under heavy fire from the front and from a small wood immediately in the rear. In the darkness unsuccessful attempts were made to drive the enemy out of the wood and the situation became precarious.
At first light, Lieut. Addison, with his troops and the support of tanks, attacked the wood and killed or put to flight, the enemy who were holding it. After this success, and without further delay, he assaulted a group of farm buildings, where a large number of the enemy were known to be in prepared positions. The surprise and speed of this further attack demoralised the enemy, and many prisoners were taken.
Under Lieut. Addison’s leadership, a further attack was staged which cleared the enemy from another small wood. In the whole operation, Lieut. Addison captured a larger force than that under his command, and in addition, a large number of the enemy were found dead on the battlefield.
Captain Addison, volunteered for service in 1943, and went on to serve with a Training Regiment. 

J.W. Reay was in the first draft of the 7th NF which left Cambois for France on April 20th 1915. Not sure if this could be the same chap, but if he was at the Front in July then it could be possible. Will keep delving and see what comes up. Merry Christmas to one and all

keep the good work up and lets get info on john reay recorded. they deserve recognition and together we will accomplish it.

Hi Dozza,
do you remember the Kenny Everitt character Orson Welles, yeah, the fat one? That's where it came from
I haven't yet been able to find much out about your Grandad, but men with five figure service numbers between 34000 and 34999 were generally Territorials in the NF who were wounded in 1915 and were renumbered on their return to the Front. He would probably have had a four figured number originally. I'm visiting the Fusiliers Museum at Alnwick next week, they have lists of wounded men, hopefully will be able to find out more then. Also will try medal rolls, they might be helpful. Thats all for now, Nanu Nanu 

Thanx Orson    ( anything to do with MORK) or am just showing my age)
His name James Gray private 35165
died France 2 april 1917 . I have no date of birth but know he was born in Newsham Blyth area. No-one in the family even has a picture of him or his regiment.  According to his marriage cert he was serving in 7th N F but under this  it states also miner north seaton colliery. Did have some other bits but hard drive died taking everything with it. But I never had army bits, if that makes sense?
 Good luck and thank you
Dozza

Hey Dozza,
I've done a little research into the 7th NF and have a copy of their war history. If you let me have your Great Grandad's name, I'll have a look and see what I can find out. Also got some newspaper clippings of various men, he might be amongst them. Hope this is helpful 

I have just come across this site and had to join. My gr grandfather was in 7th Northumberland Fusiliers during ww1. Finding anything about him has been ni on impossible. Having local people to talk to and maybe ask questions . I do not know much about the areas of Blyth, Newsham, Barrington etc. The area where most of my ancestors came from, so to be able to communicate is great.

Talk of  for example; the 7th NF was merged with 12bn  then amalgamated into
is like a foriegn language to me , so if anyone has the equivalent to an idoits guide for dumb blondes I would very much appreciate it. Yes I have had a look at more formal sites but as I said I need an idoits guide.
Thanx
Dozza

I was hoping that someone on this forum new the wherabouts of the letter he wrote so that I could copy it. My mother would be very interested to read it as she says he never talked about the war.