John Thomas, one of 4 children of whom all survived, was the eldest of 2 brothers, had 2 younger sisters, as declared in the 1911 census, however, he had 3 half-siblings from his father’s first marriage and 2 half-sisters from the second marriage.

His father Henry Lawson Lister born 1855 in the district of Lanchester married in 1869, district of Durham, to Mary Parkin, with whom he initially settled at Castleside, County Durham. Their daughter Margaret was born, October 12th 1874 at 317, Leadgate, Iveston, County Durham, Jane Ann 1877 at Wolsingham, Weardale as was Joseph in 1880. A year later they were living at Salter’s Gate, Brick Work Cottages, Wolsingham, where Henry was employed as a railway labourer. Sadly, during the 2nd quarter (April/May/Jun) of 1883 Henry lost not only his wife, aged 31 years, but also his son John Joseph only 3-years old.

Henry Lawson Lister remarried at St Margaret, Durham, in 1884, to Jane Ann Stokoe native of Stanhope also in County Durham, born 1853, who had two children of her own, Mary Jane, and Annie Theresa. Jane Ann had been living with her family prior to her marriage at Bank Foot, district of Muggleswick. After their marriage only Mary Jane came to live with them, Annie remained with her grandparents. Their son John Thomas Lister was born prior to their marriage, July 18th 1884, followed by Alfred in 1888 and Isabella, June 18th 1890. In 1891 they were living in the village of Rowley where Margaretta was born in 1892, Henry supported his family employed as a coal miner. By 1901 John Thomas (15) was employed on a farm as a carter, Alfred (13) was an office boy, living with them was Jane Ann’s widowed brother Richard, a mason’s labourer. Only Alfred (23) and his sister Madge (19) were living at home by 1911 with their parents, also a John Thomas Lister (3) listed as their grandson and two of Jane Ann’s brothers, Richard and John Stokoe.

John Thomas, in the census of 1911, declared he was married in 1908 had 3 children 2 of whom deceased. This is contradictory to records that have been found, no such marriage took place anywhere in England until 1913 at Gateshead, County Durham, another contradiction to his military record which states Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to Alice Annie Graham, born April 7th 1890 in Yorkshire. In 1911 he, Alice and infant Mary Elizabeth Lister, born June 23rd 1909 in Morpeth, Northumberland, were living at 12, Thomas Street, Consett, a 5 roomed property shared with the families of Thomas Robert Bell and Thomas John Meguire. John Thomas Lister was employed as a navvy who went on to become a marine store dealer and horse dealer.

At the time of his enlistment, September 11th 1916 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he and his family were living at 1, William Street, Consett. Alice had given birth to a further 3 children, Margaret Lawson affectionately known as Maggie, born July 20th 1911, Henry Lawson September 29th 1913 and Hannah born 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1916 who unfortunately died just after her 1st birthday in 1917.

Having been assigned as Private 7510 although he requested to join the Veterinary Corps, he posted to the 2nd/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Territorial Force. The 2nd line was intended to be a home force whose members could not be forced to serve overseas. Later appointed as Private 242608, he was admitted to hospital from April 25th until June 20th 1917 where he was diagnosed as suffering from tubercular lymphatic glands. A medical examination and questionnaire ascertained his disability stemmed from his childhood and that, “during adolescence patient states he noticed enlargement of glands of the neck (bi-lateral). Many of these have broken through to the surface, from time to time. Many scars present palpable glands in axillae, groin and epitrocular region.” He was discharged, at York, July 3rd 1917, under King’s Regulations 392(xvi), “no longer physically fit for war service,” assigned Silver Badge No. 509260. No awards.

He returned to his home and dealership, he and his wife welcomed a son Alfred, August 24th 1918, William George, December 15th 1922, daughter Jean, January 23rd 1926 and Eva, December 8th 1931. In 1939 they were living at 2, Ark Street, Consett, John Thomas had continued as a metal merchant, Alfred had joined him as a marine store dealer, William a general dealer, Jean is listed as incapacitated and Eva a scholar.

Alice Annie Lister nee Graham, died in 1948 aged 59 years, John Thomas Lister aged 76 years, February 14th 1961, both registered in the district of Durham.

Their daughter Mary Elizabeth Brough nee Lister died, September 28th 1993, Margaret Lawson Willson nee Lister, circa 2002, Henry Lawson Lister, April 15th 1980, Alfred Lister in 1998, William George Lister, December 23rd 1987, Jean Lister in 1940 and Eva Gettings nee Lister October 19th 2011. They all lived in and around the Consett area of County Durham.

John Thomas’s brother Alfred Lister also enlisted during the war and was killed in action, November 3rd 1917, he is at rest within Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza), grave C. 17.

The inscription on his military headstone proves that the Lister siblings were aware of their father’s first marriage and the existence of half siblings although they had never been listed in any census together.

His sister Isabella was married during the war years in 1916 to James Edward Ord of Gateshead, who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers. They had 3 children Florence Isabella 1916-2006, Alfred Douglas 1921-1988 and Joseph 1926-1926. In 1939 they lived at 5, Temple Gardens, district of Lanchester, a few doors away from her brother John Thomas and his wife. James Edward was employed as a by-product plant engine fitter, Alfred as a pay clerk at the steel works. James Edward Ord died January 9th 1940 and possibly later that same year during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) also Isabella Ord nee Lister.

His sister Marjorietta (Madge) married Robert William Thompson born August 31st 1889, with whom she had 3 children, Robert William Jnr 1913-1970, Margaretta 1919-1920 and Stanley Roland 1923-2005. In 1939 they were living at Browney Bank, Robert William Snr (Billy) was County Blacksmith, his son Stanley assisted him. Robert William died October 1st 1946 listed in error as aged 60 years, he was in fact 57, Margaretta Thompson nee Lister June 29th 1961 aged 69 years. In St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Satley there is a family grave where they and their son Stanley Roland (Roy) are buried, also inscribed is Betty, daughter-in-law, his wife.

Details of half-siblings, mother Parkin, are as follows; Margaret Lister was born in 1874 and married in the district of Sunderland to Alfred Moss Saint with whom she had 2 children Robert 1898 and Annie 1900. They emigrated to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, August 15th 1900. Their son Henry was born in 1903, Alfred 1906 died 1907 and Margaret in 1908. Margaret Saint nee Lister died in 1912, Alfred Moss Saint in 1950, they are buried within Nambour Cemetery, Queensland, Australia.

Jane Ann Lister born 1877 died in 1891 and John Joseph Lister born 1880 died 1883.

Details of half-siblings, mother Stokoe, are as follows; Mary Jane born 1870, although she had taken the surname Lister married as Mary Jane Stokoe to Simon Elliott Robson in 1899, a railway goods checker. Their marriage was childless. Simon Elliott Robson died in 1938, Mary Jane Robson nee Stokoe in 1958.

Annie Theresa Stokoe born 1874 in the pension record of Alfred dated 1919 is listed as 45 years of age and living in Middlesbrough, without the addition of a surname.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.