Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
James Blackwood was born at Byers Green, Durham, in 1876 to parents Lowdy Blackwood from Scotland and Mary Blackwood from Ireland. The Census for 1891 shows James was 14, living with his parents at 145, Smokey Row, East Hetton, Coxhoe, where he was employed as a driver. In 1898 he married Jane Olivier which was recorded at Auckland Durham.
In 1901 James was living in his parents’ house at 8, Old Rows, Dipton were siblings John 21, Richard 18, Elizabeth 13, Isabella 7 and Maggie aged 5. In addition was James who was 25, his wife Jane and their daughter Isabella who was 9 months old at this address.
The 1911 Census confirms they were living at Stafford’s Buildings at Dipton. James was 34 years old and working as a coal miner. His wife Jane, born in County Durham, was 30 years old. At this time they had the following children Lowdvic 12, Margaret Jane 11, Florence May 9, Richard 5 and Elizabeth Annie aged 2.
Military records confirm James was at Byers Green Northumberland (Durham) and enlisted at Newcastle-on-Tyne. His Pension Index Card shows only his wife as Jane Blackwood, widow. On death his effects went to his widow Jane in 14/8/18 amounting to £36 16s 6d. HI records also show he was in the 14th Battalion but has a Tyneside Irish battalion Service Number.
James Blackwood is remembered in Burnopfield on B155.01 and in our List of Tyneside Irish
