James Tunstall
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
James was born on August 25th 1880 at Wigan and later baptised November 7th 1880 at All Saints in the town. His mother, Nancy, was a spinster at his birth.
At the 1891 census there is a strange mix of occupants at Gathurst Bridge. Edward Stopforth (widower) is the head of the household along with his sons Thomas, James and Albert. Also living there as housekeeper is Nancy Taylor with her Taylor family ie Edwina, Mary and Edward. Furthermore, the census records show James Tunstall residing with the others as son (of Nancy). Additional information has been found indicating that Edward Stopforth was his father. There may have been several others born within this household although it appears several died in infancy.
1901 James is still living in the Lancashire area as stepbrother to the five Stopforth brothers who occupy the Oddfellows House Gathurst Lane, Shevington. Like his step brothers they are working as coal miners (haulage). No females are living there.
In 1904 James married Isabella Moyle.
The 1911 census shows James working as a coal miner deputy. The family are living at Church Street, Quarrington Hill. At that time the couple had had 4 children but 2 died. His surviving daughters were named Nancy and Elizabeth. Elsie Lorraine was born later in 1915.
James enlisted at Ferryhill and was posted to France with his battalion on August 3rd 1915.
He was reported missing, presumed killed in action, on July 1st 1916. He is listed on the Thiepval memorial as his body was never found.
In the Newcastle Journal 16/10/1916 official notification of his death is published. It states he was well known from his connections with ambulance work.
Monies due £5.5s.11d and later war gratuity of £7.0s.0d was paid to his widow, Isabella.
A weekly pension of 31/3d was awarded as from August 31st 1918 for herself and family.
James was awarded 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Carol Hird has provided this photo which first appeared in the Northern Echo 08/11/1915.
James Tunstall is remembered at Kirk Merrington on K26.01
