22622 Pte Marmaduke William Huitson, 2nd Bn, DLI

22622 Private Marmaduke William Huitson of the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 3rd March 1916, one of 282 British soldiers to lose his life on this date.

Marmaduke was 36 years old at the time of his death and left a widow, Kate Huitson, of 14 Prospect Place, Thornaby-on-Tees (his place of birth). Pages from Marmaduke's service record survive in the WO 363 series, and the following information is taken from this source.

Marmaduke Huitson was 35 years and four months old when he attested at Thornaby on Tees on the 21st December 1914. He gave his trade as "Plater's Helper". At five feet, three and three quarter inches, he was quite a small man, but with a chest expansion of 38 inches he was obviously well-built. He had married Katie Barr Malcolm at Thornaby-on-Tees on the 21st August 1900 and the couple had four children: Robert Malcolm Huitson (born on 4th June 1901), Richard Allen Huitson (born on 6th November 1903), Janet Stewart Huitson (born on 7th August 1908) and Katie Barr Huitson (born on 28th January 1911). Twins would follow on the 12th November 1915: Doreen Gladys Huitson and the patriotically named, Marmaduke Kitchener Huitson. All of the children were born at Thornaby-on-Tees (and presumably at 14 Prospect Place which is the only address given).

Marmaduke joined the regiment at Newcastle and was given the number 22622. He was posted to the 17th Battalion on Christmas Eve 1914 and remained with this battalion until 24th August 1915 when he was posted to the regular 2nd Battalion.

Three minor offences are recorded on Marmaduke's service record during his time in England; all for overstaying his pass. He was admonished twice and confined to barracks for five days when he repeated his misdemeanour for a second time.

Private Huitson remained in England until the 23rd August 1915 and arrived in France the following day. Katie Huitson would have been six months pregnant with twins at the time, although whether Marmaduke ever saw his babies is unclear from his service record. He was certainly wounded in 1915 but it was not serious enough for him to return to England. His medical papers record that he received a shell wound to his buttock on the 16th December 1915, was admitted to the 18th Field Ambulance the following day, and rejoined his battalion on the 19th December.

On the 11th September 1916, six months after her husband's death in action, Katie Huitson was awarded a weekly pension of 29 shillings for herself and her six children. Her husband rests in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (WO 363 service record)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Army Service Numbers