William Goodfellow

William Goodfellow, born January 17th 1897 in Catherine Street, Felling, was my grandmother’s brother and the eldest son of Thomas Goodfellow and his second wife Cecily Smith (born Felling Shore June 26th 1866). William’s father was born in Alston May 4th 1846 and, by the age of 15, was working as a lead miner. He migrated to County Durham with his family and lived in Railway Street, finding work at Heworth Colliery below ground as a shifter. William followed his father down the pit and in 1911 at the age of 19 was a coal putter.

He enlisted in WW1 in the Medical Corp as a stretcher bearer, serving in France and Flanders. He was gassed whilst over there, which left him with breathing problems for the rest of his life, which was not helped by his work underground or the fact he was a heavy smoker. His service is recorded on the list of Felling Council School pupils who served.

Post war he returned to Felling and his work at the colliery. It was not until he was 32 years old that he married Elizabeth Atkinson, born 1898, of Felling. They were married at St Mary’s Church, Saturday, September 6th 1924. William and Elizabeth (Bessie) had one child, a girl named Sylvia, born May 19th 1931. The family moved to Blyth where William continued his occupation in the coal industry. He died at 33, Thompson Street, Blyth, April 23rd 1966. His wife died in 1975. Sylvia married Joseph William Douds in 1952 and had three children, two girls and a boy. She died in 2001.

As a young child I remember visiting their home with my gran and mother. They were a family of modest means but rich in spirit. Good, kind people I remember with fondness.

His name appears on Felling F32.23