Death Penny
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George was born at Sunderland in 1884. He was the son of Hugh and Elizabeth (nee Shield). His siblings were Dorothy, Robert, Mary Ann, Thomas, Hugh, George and Sally (b 1890 d 1892).
The 1891 census shows the family living at Black Clock Open, Monkwearmouth. Hugh senior was an ironship plater.
By 1901 only Robert, Hugh and George were still at home. Robert is general labourer whilst Hugh and George are labourers in the ship yards.
In 1903 their father, Hugh, died at the age of 53 years.
George married his sweetheart in 1910. She was Catherine known as Kitty Black. They had 2 children together. There was a son, John, who was born in 1910 then, a daughter, Alice, who was born in 1913 but died as an infant in 1914.
In 1911 for some reason (possibly for work) George, who was working as a general labourer, was living at Swan Home lodging house along with many other men. The Salvation Army took over the premises and it is still operating as a men’s hostel.
That same year his widowed mother Elizabeth, now aged 58, was shown working as a general servant for her niece/nephew. Although the accommodation only had 2 rooms it contained a family of 7. It appears that after her husband died Elizabeth was taken in by family members but she obviously worked for her keep.
George enlisted at Sunderland but unfortunately no service records remain.
He was killed in action on July 1st 1916. He has no known grave but is listed on the Thiepval Memorial alongside over 72,000 of his comrades.
His widow received a pension of 15 shillings per week from February 26th 1917 and also monies owed to George amounting to £2.16s.5d then later a war gratuity of £7.0s.0d.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
The Sunderland Echo 03/07/1917 reads:-
CAIN—In loving memory of George Cain, who was killed in action July 1st 1916 On whose soul sweet Jesus have mercy. Not forgotten by his brother Thomas, sister-in-law, Janey, and niece. R.I.P.
This is repeated in 01/07/1918 plus:-
CAIN—In loving memory of Pte. George Cain, beloved husband of Catherine Cain, who died July 1st 1916.
So quick, so sudden was his call
His sudden death surprised us all
But trust in heaven that we may meet.
Where all our joys will complete.
—Ever remembered by his loving wife and son John: also father and mother-in-law Black. R.I.P.
George Cain is remembered at Monkwearmouth on M46.08, at Southwick in Peter Gibson's Book and in Sunderland in S140.048 part 3
