Ambrose Miller Lockey (1889-1916)
Died of wounds received serving with 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Ambrose Miller Lockey was born in 1889, in Bishop Auckland, to James Lockey, a draper, and Mary Ann, nee Miller. He trained a s teacher and taught at Cockfield from 1909 to 1911, when he had to give up work due to illness.
Ambrose, and his bother Jim, both enlisted with the new 18th (Pals) battalion, Durham Light Infantry, in 1914. On 1 July 1916, 18th Battalion were in action at the Battle of the Somme. Ambrose received a gunshot wound to his thigh, and was sent to a casualty clearing station. On 9 July 1916, he returned to England on the General Hospital Ship ‘Asturias’. However, on 5 August, he died of gangrene 4th Durham VAD Hospital, Jeffrey Hall, Sunderland.
The family have put together an account of Ambrose and Jim’s service during the war.
Civil Parish: Bishop Auckland
Birth date: 1889
Death date: 5-Aug-1916
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Bishop Auckland
Employment: Teacher
Family: Father: James Lockey
Mother: Mary Ann, nee Miller
Siblings: Elizabeth, Sarah, George, Philip, Alfred, James, Bertha, Isabella, Edwin
Military service:
1914 – 18/319 Private, 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Medal(s): 15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Plaque and Book of Remembrance, St Anne’s Church, Bishop Auckland
Cross and Book of Remembrance, St Andrew’s Church, South Church
War Memorial, Market Place, Bishop Auckland
(Information from the North East War Memorials Project)
Gender: Male
Contributed by Carol and Bill Reed | Durham County Record Office