Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Albert John, known as Bertie was born February 14th and baptised March 15th 1891 in the parish of Venerable Bede, Gateshead. He was the eldest of 5 surviving children, 4 sons and a daughter, 7 deceased. His father John Hampton native of Hayle, near Penzance, Cornwall, born 1863, migrated to the north east where he met Elizabeth Ann Landless born 1868 at Choppington, near Morpeth, whom he married in the parish of Venerable Bede, February 5th 1887. He supported his family employed as a boiler-smith and in 1901 was living at 15, John Street, Gateshead with his wife and surviving children, Alfred, Henry Harford born August 7th and baptised August 26th 1894, George William July 7th and baptised July 24th 1898, Mary Ann April 1900 and Edward J Hampton 1905. Unfortunately, John Hampton died aged only 45 years of age in 1908. Elizabeth Ann, to support her children, worked as a char-woman assisted by Alfred (20) employed as a brass fitter and Henry (16) a screener at the colliery. George (12), Mary Ann (11) and Edward (6) were scholars. Living with them at 36, Moore Street, Gateshead was Elizabeth Ann’s widowed mother 68 years old Mary Ann Landless originally of Bath, Somerset.
Bertie married April 22nd 1916 at St. Wilfred, Gateshead, Mary Thirlaway who had a son John Henry H. Thirlaway born September 25th 1915. It is unclear if this was Bertie’s son but he was later listed under the surname of Hampton.
On the outbreak of war his brother Henry Harford had enlisted in 1914 and was killed September 28th 1916 whilst serving with the Durham Light Infantry on the Somme. Bertie had been attested at Gateshead December 12th 1915 and sent to the Army Reserve until he was mobilised August 28th 1917, 5 months after his wife had given birth to their second child, Elizabeth born March 8th 1917. Assigned as Sapper 331768 Albert John Hampton Royal Engineers he was posted to `Mesopotamia departing from Devonport in England, November 28th 1917, he arrived at Basra, January 24th 1918. Attached to the Inland Waterways and Docks Section with a change of service number WR/554236 he would have worked to maintain communications and transport food, supplies and ammunition as well as evacuating the wounded.
He was first admitted to the 40th British Hospital in Basra, April 29th 1918 suffering from scabies and was discharged May 7th 1918. His general health over the following months took a downturn. He was admitted to hospital in Basra twice during the month of June, once in July at Makina and August 12th 1918 was admitted to the 3rd British General Hospital Basra suffering from a stomach infection. His condition was described as, "tongue furred, pain on pressure in epigastrium pain also on deep pressure over left renal region, abdomen flaccid, tendency to constipation, heart aural systolic murmur." He was given two feeds of milk and chicken broth and August 14th was described as, better but temperature of 101, by August 16th as, much better, no vomiting and put on diet of milk. Unfortunately, the following day he took a turn for the worse, his pulse was week, temperature of 108, he began having convulsions and his breathing became shallow.
Albert John died of kidney failure and convulsions at 7.30 p.m. August 19th 1918 and was interred at Basra War Cemetery. He was 27 years of age.
After his death his widow Mary wrote a letter to the relevant authorities stating:- “It is now over 5 months since my husband Sapper A. J. Hampton 554236 of the I W.T., R.E., died at Basra Mesopotamia and I have not received anything belonging to him. Will you kindly forward anything you have also money being to his credit as I have some Doctor’s bills waiting to be paid & Oblige, Yours Truly, Mrs Hampton, 36, Moore Street, Gateshead.” In response she did eventually receive all monies owed to him, a pension for herself and their children of 25 shillings 5 pence a week, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal as well as his personal items consisting of: 1 cap badge, 1 razor strap, 1 pipe, 3 razors, 2 fountain pens, 5 coins, 2 metal wrist watches, 2 metal watches, 2 pair of stockings, handkerchief, metal cig. case, belt, 4 discs, pencil, match box case, dentures, scissors, key, knife, 2 wallets, photos, letters, receipts, 1 metal ring, 1 gold ring 9ct, and a purse.
Mary married at Gateshead, in 1921, Richard Dudding with whom she had 7 children: Mary born 1921 died aged 7 years of age in 1928, Richard 1923, Jane 1925, Edna 1928, Thomas 1929, Rita 1930 and Audrey 1936, all registered under her single name of Thirlaway. Bertie and Mary’s son John Henry Hampton died in 1986 aged 71 years registered at Gateshead. Details of the demise of Mary Dudding-Hampton nee Thirlaway and her daughter Elizabeth Hampton unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Albert John Hampton is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 at Gateshead on G39.025 G39.048 and G39.091
