Charles Henry Yeaman (1890-1916)
Teacher at Dunston Hill School, who died of appendicitis while training as a second lieutenant
Charles Henry Yeaman was born in Gateshead on 11 May 1890, the son of Robert and Annie Yeaman. In 1891 the family were living at 36 St. Edmund’s Road in Gateshead and John’s father is recorded as a school teacher. Charles had six brothers (George, John Wilson, Robert D., William C., Frederick and Norman) and a sister (Annie), and he was the youngest in the family.
Ten years later the Yeamans were living in the same house, and three more daughters (Florence Evelyn, Olive Mary, and Alice Maud) had been added to the family.
He attended South Street Council School in Gateshead, and a secondary school, also in Gateshead. He followed this with three years as a pupil teacher at Shipcote Council School (attending Gateshead Pupil Teacher Centre) and one year as an unqualified assistant teacher at Victoria Road School, both in Gateshead.
He trained as a teacher at Bede College in Durham from 1910 to 1912, and in the 1911 Census he is recorded as a resident at the College, although his family were still living at 36 St. Edmund’s Road. Following the completion of his training, he began work at Dunston Hill Council School, then a County Council school.
On 9 February 1916 he was given permission to enlist by the County Council Education Committee, and he joined the 3/7th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, but never served abroad.
He fell ill with appendicitis in September 1916 and was taken to Armstrong College Hospital in Newcastle where he died on 15 September. He received a military funeral, his coffin being carried from his home to Gateshead East Cemetery on a gun carriage, and it was carried to the grave by six of his brother officers. There was also 40-strong firing party commanded by Captain Tillbrook.
In addition to the County Hall memorial (where he appears as ‘Charles Yearman’) he is also commemorated on a plaque and in the stained glass windows at St Edmund’s Church, Gateshead.
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Medal Rolls Index Cards
North East War Memorials Project website
Bede College register of applicants, E/HB 257, pp.203-204
Bede College students’ record book, E/HB 236, f.9
Durham County Council Education Committee minute book, CC/A26/1/24, pp.183-184
1891 Census return, RG 12/4184, f.96r, p.11
1901 Census return, RG 13/4759, f.194v, p.8
1911 Census return, RG 14/29992, institution schedule
Durham Advertiser, 22 September 1916, p.8(f)
Picture, D/DLI 7/800/1
Civil Parish: Whickham
Birth date: 11-May-1890
Death date: 15-Sep-1916
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 36 St. Edmund’s Road, Gateshead
Bede College, Durham
Education: South Street Council School in Gateshead, and a secondary school, also in Gateshead
Shipcote Council School (attending Gateshead Pupil Teacher Centre)
Bede College, Durham, from 1910 to 1912
Employment: Unqualified assistant teacher at Victoria Road School, Gateshead
Teacher at Dunston Hill Council School
Family: Parents: Robert and Annie Yeaman
Brothers: George, John Wilson, Robert D, William C, Frederick and Norman Yeaman
Sisters: Annie, Florence Evelyn, Olive Mary, and Alice Maud Yeaman
Military service:
3/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, never served abroad
Memorial(s): County Hall memorial, Durham city (where he appears as ‘Charles Yearman’)
St Edmund’s Church, Gateshead, plaque and stained glass windows
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Amy Scott
