Person

Montague Williams lived at the Foresters’ Arms, Front Row in Middle Rainton. He was the son of John (c.1862 Lanark, Scotland) and Catherine Williams (c.1865, London). The 1911 census indicates that he had three brothers, William (coal miner), John (Bricklayer) and Michael (coal miner) and one sister, Mary. The 1901 census indicates that he had an elder sister called Rebecca. Montague and all of his siblings except for Rebecca, were born in Middle Rainton. Before enlisting Montague worked as a coal miner.

At the age of 21, Montague joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1914 but was soon transferred to the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals). He served until discharge on the 10 April 1920. His enlistment papers indicate that he worked as an asylum attendant in 1914.

Montague was injured in France on 27 July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. His discharge papers record a shrapnel wound to his left hip and severe shell-shock, necessitating hospital treatment in Etables and Kent. He also seemed to have suffered with myagia (muscle pain) and to had trouble with his knees during late 1916 and early 1917. Once he had recovered sufficently, he was transferred first to 4th Battalion DLI and the to the Royal Engineers, with whom he was posted to Russia in October 1919.

Montague subsequently returned to County Durham and married in 1923.

Civil Parish: East Rainton

Birth date: 29-Jun-1893

Death date: 1964

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Foresters’ Arms, Front Street, Middle Rainton (1901 and 1911 census)
11 Council Estate, Sedgefield (1939 register)

Religion: Wesleyan

Employment: Jenny Putter, underground (1911 census)
Asylum attendant (Army service record, 1914)
Physical training instructor (1939 register)

Family: Parents: John Williams, Catherine Williams
Siblings: Rebecca Williams, William Williams, John Williams, Mary Williams, Michael Williams (1901 and 1911 census)
Wife: Mabel G Williams (1939 register)

Military service:

Attested: 16 November 1914 at Sunderland
Posted to Royal Garrison Artillery, Newhaven: 17 November 1914
Posted to 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
1129/52524
Disembarked Egypt: 22 December 1916
Disembarked France: 11 March 1916
Promoted lance corporal: 24 September 1916
Posted to depot: 1 February 1917
Posted to 4th Battalion: 6 March 1917
Transferred to Royal Engineers: 27 June 1918
207158
Lance-corporal/acting corporal
Promoted to acting sergeant: 19 March 1919
Embarked for South Russia: 31 October 1919
Evacuated to Constantinople (Istanbul)
Discharged: 27 May 1920

Gender: Male

Contributed by Laidler, County Durham