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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: Helen on Monday 22 November 04 23:13 GMT (UK)
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I have an old photo of 2 soldiers in the Northumberland Fusiliers (W.W.1), and the names Ponty and Albert are written on the back. Can anyone tell me what Ponty is short for please?
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Dear Helen the wife brought this to my attention,2 possibles,
1 His second name is Ponty and not to uncommon for army lads to use your surname as a nick name
2 He was a welsh lad from the area of ponty pridd however i have asked my ex army mates quiet af few will have family that sereved in the Northuberland fusiliers if anyone has heard of that name
During WW1 it was not uncommon to find lads from all over the country
assigned to county regiments it was about what unit needed replacments
as and when
Hope this helps Jack
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Thank you very much Jack, I appreciate your efforts.
Did no-one like their first name in those days? I find my husbands grandfather - James Elmer - as "Helmer". They are not making life easy for us are they?
Also, thank you to you too Dolly.
Regards, Helen
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Helen,
I regularly go (from my home in Northumberland) to Ponty races (horses)
In North-East ( and maybe wider afield) Ponty is the nickname of Pontefract
I am writing this in Darlo ( Darlington)
Michael
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Could Ponty not also stand for Ponteland which is on Outskirts of newcastle. Small Village and very select area to live these days ;)
Fluffnco
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Thank you to Michael and Fluffnco, sorry for the slow acknowledgment, I haven't logged on for a few days. Both of those suggestions sound logical to me.
Helen
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Hi Helen
A search of the Medal Cards at Documentsonline shows the following possibilities - all Privates in the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Alfred PONT
William H PONT
Robert PONTON
Wilfred PONTEFRACT
Regards
Helen K
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Although Ponteland might be properpy pronounced with the second syllable being long, locals would put the emphasis on the first syllable - Pontyland and not Ponteeeland. Althogh this fits with the discussion, I think the name is most likely to be an abbreviated surname as there would probably be many people from Ponteland in the Fusiliers.
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Thank you to everyone for your input, sorry I have taken so long to acknowledge - Christmas festivities - :D
Have a happy New year,
Helen
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Hi
My Great Uncle Arthur Clayton 267192 Thiepval Memorial was in the 25th (2nd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers, we found this VERY strange as he was from Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire -a very proud Yorkshire Man !!
It is as has been said, after so many "PALS" were killed together in 1915-1916 the Army decided to distribute the soldiers to avoid whole streets of villages from being wiped out and also to put soldiers where they were needed.
I am just researching the 25th (TI) and think the book Tyneside Irish could prove worthwhile.
Regards
Bendywendy
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After a while, new recruits were allocated to battalions in need of reinforcements so there are many who are not in the obvious regiment.
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I would like a copy of the photo mentioned....It just may have been a bad spelling of my name....PONTEE