Heslop’s Local Advertiser 26/05/1916
Heworth St. Mary
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas William Beattie Sheffer was born 1898 at Heworth, County Durham, one of 8 children born to James Beattie Sheffer native of South Shields born 1871 and his wife Florence Denny born 1875 at Bradford, Yorkshire. Only 5 of their children survived, 4 sons and 1 daughter. James and Florence were married in 1891 in the district of Gateshead, County Durham, in 1891 they were living at Boutlands Building, Bill Quay, owned by The Boutland Firm, a ship and boat building business for whom James worked as a wood driller under the name of James Beattie. By 1911 he had changed occupation and was working as a colliery labourer on the screeners above ground, Thomas William now 13 years of age was a scholar and in his spare time a news boys for a paper shop.
There are no details that exist of Thomas William’s military service other than he enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was assigned as Private 1503 to the Territorial Force of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 1st Northern 3rd Field Ambulance. Remaining at home for his entire service as he was underage to be sent to a theatre of war, he died, cause unknown, May 23rd 1916 and was interred in the east part at St Mary Churchyard, Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham. Private 1503 Thomas William Beattie Sheffer was 18 years old and single. All monies due to him were given to his parents, no entitlement to awards.
His father James Beattie Sheffer enlisted, April 1st 1908, giving his address as 3, Wood House, Bill Quay, in the Territorial Force of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 1st Northern 7th Field Ambulance as Private 386006, rising through the ranks to Sergeant until his discharge October 7th 1917, under Army Order 265 II of August 10th 1917 section (d), “having served as soldiers and being now over military age, have been discharged other than for misconduct”. All monies due to him were assigned to his wife Florence at 4, Second Street, Wardley Colliery, County Durham. Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal for long service.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 26/05/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Pte. Thomas Beattie Shaffer, 4 Second Street, Wardley Colliery, died on 23rd May, aged 18½ years. Son of Sergt. James and Florrie Beattie Shaffer, R.A.M.C., better known as Beattie. To be interred at Heworth, Saturday at 2.45.”
Thomas William Beattie Sheffer is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, in Wardley on W97.01 and W97.02 and in Gateshead on G39.030
