Photo : From Peter Duffy's parents

Duffy family grave USA

Photo : South Shields Local History Society

Photo : Shields Gazette

Medal Index Card

Peter Duffy was born 1890 at South Moor, Stanley, district of Lanchester, County Durham, one of 13 children of whom only 8 survived, he was the eldest of 4 sons and 4 daughters. His father Thomas Peter Duffy was born to Irish parents in 1865 at Witton Park and married in 1889 at South Shields to Jane Agnes McIver born 1868 at Crook, also in County Durham. They had moved to Gateshead by the time Peter was 8 months old, residing at 48. Cooper Street, Thomas Duffy was employed as a coal miner. Peter’s siblings were all born at Felling, Jane Ann 1896, John 1897, Thomas 9th January 1899, Cuthbert 17th December 1901, Winifred May 26th April 1904 and Rose Ann 1908.

In 1901 they were living at Simpson Street, Felling, Peter, now 11 years old, attended St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic School at Willow Grove, his father was still the only breadwinner, to supplement the family income they had two boarders, 16-year-old Thomas Waret a coal miner and 21-year-old Charles Stidman a railway labourer.

At the age of 20 Peter had followed in his father’s footsteps and was working as a putter down the pit as did John (14) as a screener. Their sister Jane Ann was a tailoress, his younger siblings, with the exception of Rose, were scholars, they were still living at 12, Simpson Street, Felling, Gateshead. As a family they returned to South Shields between 1911 and 1914 residing at Westcott Road, Tyne Dock.

Upon the declaration of war, having moved to Tyne Dock, Peter Duffy was one of the first to enlist at South Shields, having been for some time part of the Territorials. he was assigned as Private 9369 to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment a training unit that in August 1914 was part of the Tyne Garrison at Whitley Bay. September 1914 he was transferred to the 10th (Service) Battalion attached to the 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After final training in Dorset in late May 1914 they were sent to the Winchester area as they had been selected for Home Defence duties. This decision was reversed and they departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France, July 14th 1915 landing at Boulogne, concentrating near St. Omer. The Division was moved to the Ypres salient for trench familiarisation before the West Yorkshires took over the front lines in that area. Peter Duffy went to France on September 2nd 1915.

During spring 1916 they were in action on the Bluff south east of Ypres and on the Comines canal. June 1916 Peter returned on leave to Felling, not only had he risen through the ranks to Sergeant but had served with honour receiving the Military Medal, a decoration awarded to servicemen of the British Army and other services for bravery in battle on land.

He came home on leave in June 1916. In Harton Miners' Hall, Tyne Dock, on Saturday [9th June 1916], Sergeant Peter Duffy was honoured by the officials and workmen at Harton Colliery.

Mr Robert Hann, manager of the colliery, who presided over a crowded gathering, said that Duffy was the third man from Harton Colliery to win a distinction during the present war. He explained that the officials and workmen had provided a fund for the purpose of showing their appreciation of any of their workmen who received honours for brave acts on the field, and towards that fund £300 had been subscribed.

The Mayor of South Shields (Alderman John Taylor), on behalf of the workmen of Harton Colliery, presented Sergt. Duffy with a gold watch and chain, together with a gold medal, the gift of the manager. He remarked that Sergt. Duffy had shown great gallantry in the field, and in addition to the Military Medal, he held a certificate for bravery granted to him by the commanding officer of the division. He had displayed great skill, courage, and coolness it [sic] digging out men who had been buried as a result of shell and mine explosions, and in this way had saved the lives of many of his comrades.

On May 5th, Duffy and his sergeant-major became separated from their companions, and they decided to go in different directions for the purpose of rallying the men. The sergeant-major was killed, and Duffy discovered his captain, who had been shot, and carried him over 100 yards, being exposed to heavy fire all the time."

In response Sergeant Duffy replied:- I would rather be back amongst the boys than have to make a speech, for I'm a bad talker Observed Duffy in returning thanks It's hard out there, and you never know when you might be taken, but a good heart is the grand thing, and we only think of one thing, and that is winning the war.

Source: Newcastle Journal 12/06/1916.

He returned to his unit which by now had been moved south to the Somme, his battalion saw action during the opening battle at Albert July 1st-13th 1916, during which the Division captured Fricourt.

Wounded in the line of duty he was taken by the Field Ambulance back through the lines to the 36th Casualty Clearing Centre at Heilly where he died of wounds July 6th 1916 and interred at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme, France, grave I. D. 27. He was 26 years old and single.

Thursday 6th July, 17th Division, 50th Brigade, were in the area of Bottom wood facing the Quadrangle Alley, South West of Mametz wood. The whole area was shelled and tear gassed all day, as the German bombardment became more general. On the 7th July, 50th Brigade attacked with 7th East Yorks bombing up Quadrangle Alley, but were driven back.

Source: The Somme Day by Day page 40.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Duffy, have received news that their son, Sergt. Peter Duffy, Military Medalist, has died at the base in France from wounds received in action in the big advance on July 2nd. He belonged to the West Yorks, and was the first man in the British army to receive the new honour for soldiers that of the Military Medal. [This is not correct].

He was a miner at Harton Colliery and he joined the colours in the first week of the war, and having previously had experience as a Territorial, he was among the first batch of men to be drafted into France. In the early part of March he received a certificate for gallantry. On a later occasion he saw his officer wounded by a bursting shell, and he risked everything and went to his rescue and dragged him to safety. The officer, however, never recovered from his wounds. For that and distinguished services he was awarded the Military Medal. When he visited his parents six weeks ago his comrades at the mine presented him with a handsome gold watch.

Source: Shields Gazette Wednesday 19/06/1916

Peter's death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/08/1916:

Sergeant Peter Duffy, D.C.M.

Sergt. Peter Duffy, who until recent years resided at Felling, met a hero’s death in France some three weeks ago. An old scholar of St. John’s R.C. Boys School, he left Felling for Tyne Dock at the age of 16 years. He was the recipient of a certificate of bravery in action, and was also awarded the D.C.M. for saving life under fire. This distinction was presented to him just a few weeks ago. The officials of the colliery where he worked presented him on the same occasion with a gold watch and commemoration medal. He returned to the battle line and was killed shortly after.

His father Thomas received all monies due to him, his effects and awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Medal.

A South Shields Hero

An interesting presentation took place at the Municipal Buildings, South Shields, on Saturday where the Military Medal, won by the late Sergeant Peter Duffy was handed to his parents by the Mayor of the borough (Ald. Wm. Allon). In addition to the Mayor and Mr and Mrs Duffy (who reside in Westoe Road, South Shields), Mr Robert Hann, manager of Harton Colliery, where the deceased sergeant was employed prior to the war, and several of the colliery employees (were present).

Duffy saw his officer wounded by a bursting shell, and, at great risk, went to his rescue, and brought him to a place of safety. When Sergeant Duffy afterwards came home on leave he was honoured by his fellow-workmen, who presented him with a gold watch and chain. Returning to France, he was wounded on July 6th last, and afterwards died from his injuries.

Source: Newcastle Journal 12/02/1917.

Post war had a detrimental effect for the coal industry, its stocks were depleted not only by the WW1 conflict but also domestic use. Production was at its lowest which led to fallen prices. Winston Churchill also in 1923 introduced the reintroduction of gold standard making the pound too strong for exportation. Mine owners wanted to maintain profits even during these times of instability which often led to wage reductions for the workforce and longer hours. This eventually led to the General Strike of 1926.

The Duffy family took the decision to emigrate, Thomas Duffy along with his son Cuthbert, and daughters Winifred and Norah departed aboard the SS Cedric ship number 115354 from Liverpool stating their final destination as Dubois, Pennsylvania, March 24th 1923. Seven months later October 28th 1923 his wife Jane Agnes Duffy along with son Thomas Jnr left their home at 61 Westoe Road, South Shields for Southampton where they boarded the 'Leviathan' of the Steamship Line United States Mail and travelled 2nd Class to New York via Cherbourg.

Once in America they all seem in time to have gone their separate ways. Jane Ann Duffy died 1972 in Ontario, Canada. Thomas Duffy Jnr. also for a time had settled in Toronto, Canada where he was married August 18th 1924 to Josephine Wilkinson born at South Shields, September 25th 1899 who had arrived at Quebec that same month from England. They moved to Pennsylvania where they had three known children, Florence 1926, Louise 1927 and Joan 1929. Thomas Duffy Jnr died July 14th 1967 at Long Beach, Los Angeles, California aged 68 years, Josephine Duffy nee Wilkinson in 1984, aged 84 years at Camarillo, Ventura, California. Cuthbert Duffy married Gertrude born 1906 in America. He served during WW2 as of 1942, further details unknown, he died aged August 7th 1980 aged 78 years registered in Los Angeles, California. Winifred May Duffy married James William French born November 2nd 1902, she died aged 91 years resident in Ohio. Norah Kathleen Duffy died aged 76 years in 1985 at Youngwood, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania as did her parents, Jane Agnes Duffy in 1950, aged 82 years and Thomas Peter Duffy Snr aged 89 in 1984. Thomas and Jane Agnes are buried together at Youngwood Cemetery.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Research: Pauline Priano; James Pasby

Peter Duffy is remembered at Felling on F32.24 in the Harton Colliery Awards records and the South Shields Scrap Book

The capture of Mametz
The History of the 17th Division in WW1
The Battle of Albert
The CWGC entry for Sergeant Duffy