Thomas Dorman Byers was born at Gateshead in 1882 and baptised January 25th 1882, he was the youngest of 3 known children, all sons. His father Robert Byers Snr born at Waterside, Cumberland, 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1838, married at Stockton-on-Tees in 1865 to Mary Jane Dorman born 3rd quarter Jul/Aug/Sep) 1842, in the village of Urpeth, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Robert Snr employed as an engine driver had moved with his wife and first born son Joseph (b. 1867) to a shared property at 11, Ellison Street, Gateshead by 1871 and ten years later after the birth of Thomas’s brother Robert Jnr, to 47, Burn Terrace, Hebburn.

Having lost both parents he and his brothers were taken in by their paternal aunt Mary Grace Gallon and her husband Thomas. Their uncle was a paper manufacturer for his own account and employed his eldest brother Joseph (23) as a clerk whilst Thomas (9) and Robert (13) were scholars.

After the death of their uncle in 1897 and their aunt in 1901, the three brothers were still living at Holly Hill, Joseph in the census is listed as head of the household and all three as living by their own means and still unmarried.

Thomas Dorman Byers enlisted March 26th 1902 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant attached to the 5th Durham Rifle Volunteer Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, Depot HQ at Gateshead. Prior to the commencement of WW1 he had married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1909 Mary Dickinson born there in 1880 and with whom he had a son Frederick Dorman Byres born at Heworth, November 7th 1910. In 1911 now a Captain in the 3rd Battalion D.L.I. he was living with his wife and son at 105, Heigh Park Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne with his twice widowed mother-in-law Margaret McFarlane and her sons Jacob Dickinson (35) a ship builders clerk and Thomas Dickinson (29) a deputy manager at the dry docks

When the Territorial Force was formed in 1908 the 5th Volunteer Battalion was renumbered to form the 3rd/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, within weeks of the declaration of war so many recruits wanted to join the battalion that the 2nd/9th Battalion was formed at Ravensworth in Gateshead. After the departure of the first line Territorial battalions for France with the 50th Northumbrian Division those not sent overseas were responsible for the training of volunteer and new officers for service overseas.

Captain Thomas Dorman Byers served as an instructor with the 4th Battalion D.L.I. from 1906 to January 8th 1907 and Brigade Machine Gun Officer between May 17th 1915 to August 29th 1916.

Captain Thomas Dorman Byers Durham Light Infantry was discharged due to ill health July 27th 1917 at the age of 35 years.

His brother Robert Russell Byers was killed in action 12/11/1915.

At the time of his death he was residing at Ravenstone Hotel, 61 Farquhar Road, Upper Norwood, district of Camberwell, London, where he died October 22nd 1963 aged 81 years, leaving, as per his will, effects in the sum of 10 thousand 7 hundred and 51 pounds, 9 shillings and 8 pence to his son Frederick. Details of demise of his wife Mary Byres nee Dickinson unknown.

Frederick Dorman who went on to become a civil engineer, married Barbara Patricia and until April 1933 resided at 40 Beverley Terrace, Cullerooats, Northumberland where he was a member of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Aero Club. His wife died in 1982 and Frederick, September 5th 1991, they are buried together in a family grave within St Peter and St Paul’s Churchyard, East Felixstowe, Suffolk.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Further details are on the attached document below, submitted by Keith. He states that there is a photo of Capt. Byers in the Durham Archives.

Thomas Dorman Byers is remembered at Felling on F32.23