Person

Pte. M. Gascoigne was the son of James and Mary Gascoigne of Sacriston, County Durham. He had six siblings, Robert E. Gascoigne, William D. Gascoigne, Thomas Gascoigne, Jack Gascoigne, Annie I. Gascoigne, and Martha Gascoigne. He joined the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry at the start of the War and was sent to the front in France soon after training. He wrote a letter to the Aid Committee of Sacriston that became popular among his “chums” who continued to use the title, “Go on Sacriston” in letters to the Chester le Street Chronicle showing pride for their home town. The letter has been transcribed below:

“SACRISTON WARRIOR LETTERS – ‘GO ON SACRISTON’
Mr F. J. Bailey, secretary of the Sacriston Local Soldiers’ Aid Committee has recieved numerous letters from the local “boys” in reply to letters and parcels sent out to them on behalf of the Committee. The following are extracts:
Private M. Gascoigne, Transport Section 1st Line, 8th D.L.I., writes: I thought I would take the opportunity of writing you to let you know how my chums and I are going on out here. As you probably know, we have now been out six months and during that time I can safely say I have seen sights which I never thought to see and hope never to see again. During the time I have been here I have seen quite a number of Sacriston lads, I think the old village has done well in this matter of sending recruits for the old country. I am pleased to see so many of my old school mates have rallied to the colours, and I wish them the best of luck, and hope the time will soon come when we shall meet again at home so that we can relate to each other our different experiences. Our first two months out here were spent in anything but pleasant circumstances, but lately we have been a little more comfortable. It makes me feel sad that so fair a country as this should be laid wasted by the ruthless hand of the invader, and it is up to every Briton to do his share towards the breaking of the German yoke. Everywhere can be seen the ruin of what were once beautiful towns and villages, and it will take years of labour to restore them to their former state. One city we were near seemed to be practically levelled to the ground and still the German artillery persist in shelling it on the off chance of catching a convoy going through. What an awful sight it was to see the great buildings in flames, but really it cannot be thoroughly described. It must be seen to be realised. However, we shall just have to hope that the time will soon come when this unfortunate French and Belgians will be recompensed for their sufferings. The Allies must wreak a terrible vengeance on the bloodthirsty tyrant who is responsible for it all and his own country must be made to feel the horrors of modern warfare. He has used every means in his power to break and crush us, but he has already failed, and I hope that the glorious offensive has really begun. We British, if true to our tradition, can never lay down our arms until our army has marched triumphant into Berlin, and my dearest hope is to be in at the death with my battalion. My chums here are Leslie Greenwell, and Ralph Johnson, and they send their best respects to you and all Sacriston. We are having very decent weather and are fairly comfortable but we are hoping to get leave soon to visit our homes but have no idea when it will be. Remember us to all at Sacriston and thank the Aid Committee for the cigarettes.”

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 1890

Death date: 1955

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 252 Seventh Street, Sacriston (1901 census)
9 Charlaw Terrace, Sactistion (Army service record)
20 Clayton Ville Claytonville, Edmondsley (1939 Register)

Employment: Miner (Army Service Record)

Family: Father: James Gascoigne
Mother: Mary E. Gascoigne
Brother: Robert E. Gascoigne, William D. Gascoigne, Thomas Gascoigne, Jack Gascoigne
Sister: Annie I. Gascoigne, Martha Gascoigne [1901/1911 Census]
Wife: Mary Smart
Children: James Gascoigne, Robert Gascoign (1939 Register)

Military service:

Attested: 16 September 1914
Demobilised: 17 April 1919
Transport Section, 1st/8th Durham Light Infantry
Regimental number: 300344
transferred to 2nd/4th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
First in France: 19 April 1915

Memorial(s): 1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan and Lewis Cooper