Thomas Taylor Tucker was born on the 5th March 1880 at 18 Regents Terrace, Gateshead, the eldest boy of nine children, baptised at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, on the 7th April 1880, the son of Thomas Tucker, [born 1849, Pipewellgate, Gateshead, died 7th January 1891], and Lucy Jane [nee Simms], born 30th May 1851, at 4 Nuns Lane, Gateshead, baptised at St Mary's Church on the 23rd June 1851, died on the 1st March 1949, at 39 Beverley Terrace, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, Northumberland, [daughter of John Simms, (born 29th October 1798, baptised on the 27th January 1799, at the Church of St Mary, Gateshead, died 31st January 1855, at 3 Nuns Lane, Gateshead, Co Durham), and Martha Nicholson, (born 15th August 1808 at Whickham, baptised 11th September 1808 at the Church of St Mary the Virgin Whickham, Durham, died on the 6th July 1892 at 4 Nuns Lane, Gateshead, who were married on the 24th November 1835, at the Church of St Andrew, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland), who were married on the 5th March 1872 at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead.

The other children were Martha Louise, born 2nd December 1872, at 18 Regent Terrace, Gateshead, baptised on the 25th December 1872 at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Co Durham, died 25th August 1920, at 15 Ellison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, [she married in March 1916 a Christopher Barker Symonds, born 1865 died 1934], Lucy Elizabeth, born 28th November 1873, at 18 Regent Terrace, Gateshead, baptised 24th December 1873 at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Co Durham, she died on the 17th July 1922, at the Belverdere Nursing Home, Scarborough, Yorkshire North Riding,[she married a Edwin Emley [son of Thomas Emley, born 1870, died 1963], on the 22nd May 1902, at Gateshead, Eleanor Caroline Alberta, was born at 18 Regent Terrace, Gateshead, on the 26th September 1876, baptised 15th October 1876, at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Co Durham, died 1st March 1913, at Oldham, was married to a William Taylor, [born 1869], at Gateshead on the 14th February 1901. They resided at Ashcroft House, 19 Moor Street, Crompton, Lancashire, and prior to her death, she had been married 10 years and had 2 children, Ethel Maud, born 8th September 1878, at 18 Regent Terrace, Gateshead, baptised on the 6th October 1878, Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Durham, died on the 20th August 1922 at Lynfield, Victoria Park, Manchester, Lancashire, she married a Seville Taylor, (born 1881, died 1971), on the 17th May 1908, at High Crompton, St Mary, Lancashire, they resided at 164 Oldham Road, Shaw, Crompton, Lancashire, they had no children. in 1911, Mary Isabella, born 7 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead, 19th April 1882, baptised on the 17th May 1882, at the Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Co Durham, died 9th April 1958, at 6 Hawthorn Road, West Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, she married a David Fulton Hardie, [born 9th July 1879 died 1956], and was residing at 25 Saltwell View, Gateshead, Co Durham. [On September 28th 1939 they were residing at 6 Hawthorn Road, West Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, David F Hardie a Electrical/ Mechanical Engineer retired, wife Mary I Hardie, private means and a Ann Wear born 27th May 1903, a single servant were living at this address], Anne [Annie] Constance, born on the 15th April 1884, at 7 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead, baptised on the 15th April 1884, at the Holy Trinity Church Gateshead, died 13th February 1974, at Boundary Cottage, Kemerton, Worcestershire, she married a Thomas Percival Galloway, (born 12th November 1871, at Gateshead, died March 1943, at Northumberland North First, Northumberland), in July 1905 at Gateshead, [they had two children, a daughter Sylvia Galloway born April 1907, and ason Thomas Percival Adair Galloway, (born October 1909 died 1987). Thomas Percival was a solicitor residing at 62 Manor House Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, in 1911], in 1939 they were residing at Glen View, Queens Road, Wooler, Glendale, Northumberland. Thomas P Galloway, now a retired solicitor, wife Annie C Galloway, housewife, mother in law, Lucy Jane Tucker, [Thomas Taylor's mother], widow private means, Mary A Edwards born 11th September 1878 single cook, Elizabeth E Jewitt 17th April 1906, a single maid, Florence Beatrice, born 27th February 1886 at 7 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead, baptised on the 7th April 1886, Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, Co Durham, died 23rd January 1977, North East Hampshire, Hampshire, England, she married in April 1910 at Gateshead, Co Durham, a Frederic Percival Selwyn Thomas, [son of a Edwin and Hannah Thomas], born January 1880 died 15th December 1955, at Hendon, Middlesex at London, [in 1939, Florence was residing at 20 Bewick Road, Gateshead, Durham, England], and Stanley Dawson Simm, born 18th December 1888, at 7 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead, baptised on the 30th January 1889, at the Holy Trinity Church, at Gateshead, Stanley Dawson Simm Tucker was a Lieutenant in the 1/6th Battalion (Territorials) Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in action.

Florence Thomas made at least 3 trips abroad, 6th June 1936, she embarked at Southampton for Quebec, in Canada, sailing on the liner 'Empress of Britain' ship number 162582, with her husband, stating the residence address as 39 Beverley Court, Cullercoats. She embarks on the Cunard White Star liner 'Britannic' ship number 162316, from Liverpool to New York, stating her residence address as 30 Beverley Court, Cullercoats again. September 1953 she embarks on the Ile de France to New York from Southampton, and finally 14th December 1955 she travels from Southampton to New York on the 'Mauretania' ship number 166267, first class stating her residence address now as 61 Front Street, Tynemouth.

In 1871 the father Thomas Tucker [senior] was residing at 37 West Street, in Gateshead. He was born in Pipewellgate, 1849, to Isaac Tucker, [apprentice brass founder], born 15th May 1824, baptised 2nd June 1824, at the Church of St Mary, Gateshead, Co Durham, died 29th September 1872 at 37 West Street, Gateshead, Co Durham, and his wife Ann Taylor born 1825, married 3rd May 1846 at St Hilda's Church in South Shields, died July 1853. He had a daughter named Jane Tucker who was born in January 1845, died in 1879 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Birth of another Daughter Ellen/Eleanor Tucker on the 15th December 1847, at Gateshead, Co Durham and Birth of Daughter Elizabeth Tucker born 15th June 1850. died 8th November 1854. In 1848 and 1855, Isaac Tucker is mentioned in the Gateshead Directory as a Brass Founder, but in 1851 he is a publican in a public house at 64 High Street, Gateshead, Pipewellgate, Gateshead, Co Durham. In the Electoral Register Isaac Tucker of Pipewellgate has a Moiety of 2 Freehold Houses in Cromwell Terrace. His daughter Elizabeth Tucker died 8th November 1854. Isaac remarried to an Elizabeth Dawson Weatherston [born 1825 died 1873], on the 11th August 1858, at Christ Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland. They had two sons Alfred William Tucker, born 5th June 1859 died 1897 at Gateshead and Isaac Tucker born 3rd December 1860 died 1896. From about 1861 Isaac was a Brewer/Malster & Wine Merchant employing 7 men.

By 1871 he had moved to 37 West Street, Gateshead, Co Durham.

Thomas Taylor Tucker was educated at the Durham Road, St Michael's Church School at Houghton-Le-Spring, in 1891, prior to being educated at Blair Lodge, Polmont Station, Stirlingshire. This was a Public School which had been established in 1843.

Thomas then attended evening classes at the University of Durham, in the college of Science, which was then at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was an apprentice at Messrs J.H. Holmes in Newcastle-upon-Tyne from the 20th December 1897 till the 5th March 1901. The company were renowned for producing dynamos & motors.

Thomas was residing at 7 Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead with his Widowed mother, in a 11 roomed house, with Stanley and Martha. Thomas by this time he applied to become a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers., which he was elected to on the 18th April 1901.

Thomas then was still working for Messrs J.H. Holmes in the Drawing Office.

Thomas Taylor Tucker joined the Tyne Electrical Engineers in 1915, at Clifford's Fort, Tynemouth, as a 2nd Lieutenant, on the 26th January 1915, he was promoted to a Temporary Lieutenant on the 18th October 1915.

The old Clifford's Fort [now demolished], in North Shields was unsatisfactory as a Headquarters owing to its position and its very limited accommodation. The small Drill Hall at Whitley Bay was used to alleviate the space. Tynemouth Corporation after protracted negotiations transferred a site of approximately 8,530 square yards adjoining Tynemouth railway station, together with the sum of £12.000 in exchange for Clifford's Fort, for the new Headquarters. The new building was designed in early Italian Renaissance style of brick, with dressings of pink stone led from the Byers Hill Quarry, the roof is covered in Kentmere sea-grey slates. The carved panel over the main entrance incorporating the crest of the Tyne Electrical Engineers, flanked by winged figures of Fame and Glory, is from the chisel of the Scottish Sculptor Mr Alexander Proudfoot, A.R.S.A., The carved stone tablet over the main gateway into Clifford's Fort was removed and erected inside the drill hall at Tynemouth. The official 'marching out' from the old Clifford's Fort,[after 256 years of military use], and entry into the new one was on Saturday 12th May 1928, after 3.00pm. The HQ was formally opened on Saturday 21st July by Major-General C.A. Kerr, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O.,.

Thomas was in the Anti-Aircraft Searchlight unit. These were formed into mobile anti-aircraft searchlight companies. Each company consisted of 12 60cms searchlights. The 9th (Tyne) Mobile Searchlight Company R.E., {T.F}, was one of the first to be formed at Haslar Barracks, which was west of Portsmouth but adjoining the Royal Naval Hospital at the head of Haslar Creek. Lieutenant Thomas Taylor Tucker was one of the first officers to be appointed to this unit. Under the command of Major N.H. Firmin the company moved to London to complete its mobilisation, they were located at 46 Regency Street then moved again to 6 Earl Street, Westminster, opposite a brewery which was used as a garage store and a workshop.

Thomas married his sweetheart Edith Ellen McMahon, [born 5th June 1892, daughter of George Henry McMahon & Elizabeth Seats who married in St James, Gateshead late in 1884], at St Giles Church in Woolwich in April May June quarter 1916. And they had two boys. Stanley Thomas Tucker, a Medical Student, [born 8th July 1919, died March 2002, Chichester, Sussex], Kenneth Tucker, a student [born 7th December 1921, died February 1996, Liverpool, Lancashire].

The equipment of the company was drawn from the Woolwich Arsenal which consisted of twelve 60cms searchlights mounted on 3 ton Daimler lorries with various generating sets, a Ford box car for the C. O., and six Fiat 30cwts lorries for company stores and baggage all drawn from the A.S.C. store at Kempton Park.

Also were six motorcycles for officers use. As soon as the company completed their mobilisation they were sent out to widely scattered locations, including Whitley Bay.

In June 1916, the establishment of all Territorial Force units were doubled to enable them to provide for the additional duties now required by them. The company was now called the 9th (Tyne) Mobile Searchlight Company R.E., (T.F.) Tyne Electrical Engineers.

During June and July drafts of the Tyne Electrical Engineers' personnel had been proceeding from Haslar to Leeds where they manned lights in the Bradford, Huddersfield and York areas in co-operation with personnel from the Glamorgan Fortress Royal Engineers of that unit. At first six lights were manned by the Tyne personnel under a Lieutenant R.H. Rooksby and Lieutenant E. Harrison, but the Glamorgan Lights were gradually taken over and by August 1917 this group was formed into the 37th (Tyne) A.A. Company R.E., with its headquarters at Leeds.

Captain J. Young arrived to take command. The company had 12 searchlights operating, 5 at Leeds, 2 each at Halifax and Bradford and 1 each at Huddersfield, Wakefield and York. At this time there was considerable Zeppelin raids taking place, the nights of the 10th, 28th and the 31st July and the 2nd and 8th August. In November 1916, Captain Young was involved in a motor cycle accident during an air raid warning, coming into collision with a tramcar and having his right hand mutilated.

He was taken to hospital and relieved of his command, temporary Captain Thomas Taylor Tucker took over the command of the company. He was prior a Temporary Lieutenant from the 1st June 1916, then temporary captain from the 17th July 1916, finally acting Captain on the 23rd July 1918.

April 1917 the 37th Anti-Aircraft Company R.E., had its Headquarters at Leeds.

In January 1918 the great re-arrangement of the R.E., personnel was completed, the 37th, 56th and the 60th AA companies were broken up and became the 2nd and 3rd AA Companies R.E. Headquarters based now at Ripon. Captain Tucker was transferred from the 37th to be commander of no 2 AA Company Royal Engineers.

In July 1918, many officers were transferred between the units as well as units being re-named, no 2 AA company now was under the command of the Tees A.A.D.C., part of the Northern Air Defences. Middlesbrough AADC.

Captain Thomas Taylor Tucker became a Captain in the Reserve on the 13th October 1920, and he resigned his commission on the 3rd February 1922.

In 1939 Thomas Taylor Tucker was residing at 'Montrose' 20 Montagu Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with his wife Edith Helen Tucker, [born 5th June 1892], and the two boys. Stanley Thomas Tucker, a Medical Student, [born 8th July 1919, died March 2002, Chichester, Sussex], Kenneth Tucker, a student [born 7th December 1921, died February 1996, Liverpool, Lancashire].

Thomas Taylor Tucker died on the 5th February 1942, and left effects of £15535 16s 1d to his wife and John James Sutherland Solicitor.

Research: Brenda McMahon/James Pasby