Thomas Teasdale was born in 1896 at Old Esh, County Durham, one of 5 children of whom only 3 survived, he was the 1st born of 2 sons and a daughter. His father Joseph Teasdale Snr of Tow Law born 1868 married widow Helen Wynn nee Hope, also known as Ellen, in 1896 at Lanchester. She was born at Haswell, County Durham in 1866 and had 2 children from her previous marriage, Lily born in 1887 and Ethel 1893. Joseph Snr supported his family employed as a coke drawer, in 1901 they were living at 21, Sadler Terrace, Lanchester and having moved to Malton Colliery by 1911 he was a coal porter at the coke ovens, Thomas (14) a token lad, Joseph (12) and Ann Hope (6) were scholars, half-sister Ethel Wynn (18) also lived with them.

He enlisted April 10th 1918 declaring he was willing to join the colours unconditionally. Initially assigned to the 20th Machine Gun Corps by May 25th 1918 he had been transferred to the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, a Territorial Force of the Northumbrian Division, as Private 140491. Prior to his departure for the Western Front Thomas was married in the district of Houghton-le-Spring during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1918 to Helen Moreland born May 20th 1893 at Lanchester. Four months later September 29th 1918 he departed for France and was posted to the 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 5 days later October 4th 1918 he transferred to the 13th (Service) Battalion, 74th Brigade attached to the 25th Division who September 19th 1918 had been moved to St. Riquier and were in action during the Final Advance in Picardy.

Having been severely wounded in the left thigh Private Thomas Teasdale was sent back through the lines by the Field Ambulance and evacuated back to England, October 19th 1918, to a special military surgical hospital where he was declared to be between 50-80% disabled. He was honourably discharged May 31st 1919 under King’s Regulations 392(xiv), “no longer physically fit for war service” and awarded King’s Certificate 5194 November 7th 1919, Silver Badge No. B278337 November 13th 1919 as well as the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Thomas and Helen post war had 2 children. Margaret Teasdale born April 11th 1921 in the district of Houghton-le-Spring married Herbert W. S. Hughes at Birmingham in 1944 and where she died in 1998. Joan Teasdale was born 1928 in the district of Sunderland.

Helen Teasdale nee Morland died in the district of Birmingham, Warwickshire in 1984 details of Thomas Teasdale unknown.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.