Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ernest Edward Swinbank was born at Malton Colliery, County Durham, August 11th 1898 where he was baptised September 4th. He was one of 16 children, being the 5th 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. He was 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, Sacristan, 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. On 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.
On the outbreak of WW1 Ernest was only 15 years of age, but he did enlist when he turned 19 and was eligible for service overseas. Unfortunately, his military record does not exist, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, however, he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal in recognition of his service to King and Country. He also served during WW2.
In 1921 Ernest Edward Swinbank was married in the district of Lanchester to widow Ada Coult who had a young daughter, Alice Beatrice Coult, born 1916. Her husband Private 139915 Frederick Coult , Machine Gun Corps, had been killed May 10th 1918 on the Somme in France. Together they had a further 3 children, Richard born 1921, Alberta 1924 died in 1988, Ernest Edward Jnr 1930 died May 29th 1986. Alice Beatrice Coult married George Young in 1936 at Barnet, Middlesex where she died in 1999.
Ada Swinbank-Coult nee Beadle died in 1953 aged 57 years registered Durham Northern, Ernest Edward Swinbank aged 57 years died in 1955, district of Darlington.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
