Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph William Swinbank was born at Nettlesworth, County Durham in 1888. One of 16 children he was the 2nd born of 6 surviving sons and 4 daughters. 6 children died, including Catherine 1882-1882, Robert 1890-1891 and Mary 1894-1894.
His father Richard Swinbank of Broad Myers, Plawsworth, County Durham was born August 13th 1858 and married February 19th 1877 in the district of Chester le Street to Ellen Brett, born October 8th 1860, originally of Seasalter, near Canterbury, Kent.
Richard Swinbank and family moved extensively over the years between Nettlesworth, Durham, Sacriston, Malton Colliery and Ushaw, where he was employed as a coal miner/overman in 1911. Only 5 of his and Ellen’s children were still living at home at Hill Top, Ushaw in 1911. Albert Henry (19) and John Robert (15) were employed at the colliery as a shifter and a time keeper respectively, Ernest Edward (12), Sydney George (11) and Lily Maria (7) were scholars. Joseph William had left home and in 1911 was living as a boarder with Thomas and Ann Dowding and their daughter Lily at 23, Woodland Terrace, Chester le Street, employed below ground as a coal miner putter and pony driver.
Joseph William was married later that year to Jemima Marshall, born February 21st 1888, in the district of Sunderland. Unfortunately, his father Richard died January 24th 1912 only 53 years of age. Richard Swinbank of Hill Top, Ushaw, County Durham died leaving effects in the sum of £110 5 shillings 6 pence to his widow Ellen.
Their daughter Alice was born in 1913 and their son Richard during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1915, just as his father enlisted in the newly formed Labour Corps as Private 281154. Unfortunately, his record no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it is therefore impossible to know if he served in the United Kingdom or overseas. He was the recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. During his father’s service Richard died in 1916 as did Joseph William’s brother Lance Corporal John Robert Swinbank 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, July 1st 1916.
Post war he was employed as a mechanic and decided to depart with his wife Jemima and their daughter Alice for Canada. They departed October 21st 1919 from Liverpool bound for Quebec aboard the Empress of France of the Canadian and Pacific Ocean Services. From Canada they emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Michigan where their son Richard Swinbank was born in 1929.
Joseph William was employed as a shipping clerk in the automotive industry. When he retired he and Jemima moved to Florida where he died at Broward in 1957 aged 69 years, Jemima Swinbank nee Marshall died aged 93 years, September 7th 1981 at DeLand, County Volusia, Florida U.S.A.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
