Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Luke Thornton was born in Sunderland in 1881. His father, also called Luke, was born in Seaham Harbour and was a stonemason. His mother, Sarah was born in Sunderland.
The family moved to Lanchester, and over the years lived at various addresses. In 1891 they were resident at Fenhall Farm Cottages. In 1891 they were at West View, by which time, Luke, by then aged 20, was a Plasterer. The 1911 census records the family living at Ford Road. Luke aged 30, like his younger brother, Thomas (28), was "a mason assisting father." Luke senior was, by this time, a house builder. Youngest brother John (26) was a grocer's assistant. Sister Sarah was 31 and single.
Luke enlisted in Lanchester and served as Private 31108 in the Durham Light Infantry. He transferred to 2nd Labour Company (63101) and then to the 33rd Labour Company (19589). He was killed in action on 28 December 1917 and is buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery.
His parents, living 4 Cecil Crescent, Lanchester, added "Thy will be done" to his headstone.
Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Luke’s father was responsible for the building of the Memorial Hall in Lanchester on the land where Croft Court now stands.
Luke Thornton is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04
