Joseph Thompson Monkhouse was born in Weardale, County Durham in 1885 the eldest son of Octavius and MAry Monkhouse. He had 3 siblings, Mary, born 1887 George Henry, born 1890 and the youngest Alfred Tatum, born in 1899. The family lived at owshill, Weardale, Counth Durham. Joseph attended school at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex, (the original Bluecoat School, founded in 1552 by Edward VI). After school he trained as an electrical engineer. At about this time, in 1907, he also joined and was commissioned in the 6 Bn Durham Light Infantry territorials. In 1911 he was recorded as being back home living at Cowshill. He was single and employed as a Quarry Manager, working for his father and at Llangynog.

His father, Octavius Monkhouse, was variously a farmer, hotelier and innkeeper. He also had interests in quarrying. The quarry he owned at Cowshill caused such damage to the church that in 1914 the church was moved, brick by brick, to a new location about half a mile away. Joseph’s sister was the first bride to be married there in February 1915. Joseph was best man, two months before his death. At sometime in the 1900s, Joseph’s father had leased the rights to the Llangynog Granite Quarry in the Tanat Valley. The quarry, located about 400 metres NW Llangynog on SW bank of Afon Eirth at OS ref SJ048264, is also called the Monkhouse or Maker Quarry. (Llangynog on line web site)

Joseph came to Oswestry to manage the Quarry, arriving in about 1910/11. In 1911 he married Bessie Vickers Martindale. They would have a baby girl, Ellen, born in July 1912. Ellen’s birth registration was at County Durham. Joseph’s obituary notice gives him, wife Bessie and Ellen living at Stanley Place, Salop Road, Oswestry. He commuted to Llangynog on the train – using his season ticket (picture). Joseph was also a Free Mason. He was initiated in 1907 to Hudson Lodge No 2791, Durham and was a founder member of the Stanhope Lodge No. 3520, Durham. After his death his wife Bessie and daughter Ellen moved back to County Durham. Bessie would re-marry in 1923.

The 6 Bn DLI arrived in France on 17 April 1915.  Joseph was killed on 26 April 1915 during the Battle of St Julien, 24 April – 4 May 1915, at Hill 37, near to Frezenberg in the Ypres Salient. The battalion had been rushed to the front as reinforcements during Second Ypres. In the assault the battalion were to advance about one mile to take and occupy Hill 37. The attack began at about 11am. Almost as soon as they left the start line they came under heavy artillery fire. In a letter home a fellow officer, George Angus, gave an account ‘It was when we had got two thirds of our way (across) that Joe was killed. He and Will Devey were coming up with us when a shell got them killing Joe and wounding Devey in the arm. Joe’s death was practically instantaneous’. The writer goes on to say that he had tried to arrange for a burial service but it had not been practicable. He was also arranging for Joe’s personal things to be sent to Bessie, Joe’s wife, but this might take some time as the battle was still going on. He had also been able to put a cross on Joe’s grave.

The grave must have been lost or destroyed in subsequent fighting, but Captain Monkhouse is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres. He is also on the war memorials in Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry, in St Thomas Church, Heathery Cleugh where there is also a memorial window to him and his brother Tatum. Jospeh is also on the war memorial at Stanhope Town Hall. A memorial service was also held in Holy Trinity Church.

His younger brother, Tatum, aged 16, was killed in a bicycling accident in June 1915, about six weeks after Joseph was killed. His other brother George, took over as quarry manager at Llangynog –  in December 1919 there was an accident at the quarry which resulted in the death of Richard Lewis. George gave evidence at the inquest. Cause of death was given as pulmonary tuberculosis, which had been caused by gas poisoning during the war, accelerated by the injuries received in the accident. Richard Lewis served as Private 47252, 10 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He died on 8 December 1919 and is buried, St Melangell Church, Pennant, Llangynog (CWGC). Hs also commemorated on Llanyblodwel War Memorial. For more information about George – and also his brothers Thomas and William visit – Llangynog War Memorial web site

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Acknowledgement: North East War Memorial Project

References & Souces

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