Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Septimus Jeffers was born at Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham in 1887, one of 14 children, 7 sons, 2 daughters, 5 gender unknown of whom only 6 survived. His father Joseph Jeffers was born 1854 in Ireland, he was married March 18th 1876 in the parish of St. James, Gateshead to Martha McMillen born 1861 at Heworth, Gateshead. In 1881 Joseph was employed as a labourer, they were living at William Street, Felling and at the time had 3 visitors, widow Elizabeth Sharp, and her children, Meggie (14) and John 10 months. They later moved to Heworth Lane, Joseph Snr in 1911 continued to labour in the chemical industry whilst his single sons James William (27) and Joseph Jnr (25) were employed as labourers at the colliery above ground. Mary Isabella (15) and William Henry (8) are nor listed as scholars, presumably they stayed at home with their mother.
Thomas Septimus had married at Gateshead in 1909 to Mary Elizabeth Fleming born at Sheriff Hill, Gateshead in 1890. By 1911 they were living at 42, Parkinson Street, Felling, with their new born son Thomas William aged 6 months, Thomas was employed by a stationer and book publisher as a commercial stationer’s packer, working from home. His wife gave birth to their second son, Joseph, during the 1st quarter of 1914.
Thomas Septimus Jeffers enlisted at Felling assigned as Private 24650, 1st Garrison Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and possibly served for a time in India. Later transferred to the 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion attached to the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, they departed in January 1916 concentrating at La Crosse, east of St. Omer, before moving closer to the front line. After being relieved by the Australians they spent the last few days of April and the beginning of May practising for their upcoming assault, at the training area near Moulle. May 4th the battalion entrained at St. Omer and Wizernes for Amiens then marched to St. Gratien and billeted for the night. They were later moved from the Amien sector and were in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme during the attack at La Boisselle.
At role call Private Jeffers was absent, later declared missing and by October 1916 declared presumed dead. It was not until after Armistice and the clearing of the battlefields that 3 unmarked graves were found at map reference 57d.A.19.b.61.70 initially all registered as unknown British soldiers. Once exhumed the bodies were examined, the remains of Private Thomas Septimus Jeffers Northumberland Fusiliers were identified by pieces of his uniform and his boots, one of which was stamped 2==650, of the other 2, one was identified as Lance Corporal M. Tyman 26th N.F., the other, also 26th N.F. remained, “Known Unto God”.
Private Jeffers was interred with all respect and military honours by an Army Chaplain and is at rest grave XIV. Q. 3, Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme France. He was 29 years old.
His widow living at 53, Hewitson Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham received all monies due to him, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal along with a pension for herself and their sons until she remarried at Gateshead during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1917 to Thomas Donald with whom she had a further 2 children, Freda in 1918 and Andrew in 1921, they lived at 3 Castle Street, Morpeth, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 13/10/1916:
"Private Thomas S. Jeffers, N.F., killed in action on July 1st, previously reported missing, aged 29 years. Husband of Mary Elizabeth Jeffers, 53 Hewitson Terrace, Felling."
Thomas Septimus Jeffers is remembered at Windy Nook on W95.01
