William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John was born at Seaham Harbour in1893. His parents were Richard Henry and Mary Staple (nee Borrows later Broomer). The couple were married in 1890 and went on to have 10 children together although sadly 3 died.
The 1901 census shows Staffordshire born father working as a coal miner/hewer as was his son, John. Others in the household were Ernest and Florence. Their home was at 31 South View Trimdon.
By 1911 shows life goes along much as before. Son John is now a putter whilst his siblings are at school. The additional children since the last census were Richard, Maud, Robert and James. Their home at 18 Tempest Street Silksworth had 3 rooms accommodating 9 family members.
Father, Richard, died in 1913 and it wasn’t until 1923 that his widow, Mary married Herbert Broomer.
Meanwhile on September 13th 1913 a daughter, Mary Jane, was born out of wedlock to John and his sweetheart Mary Jane Laverick. They probably married before too long as Mary Jane is shown on pension documents as John’s widow.
John enlisted at Sunderland and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers but was unfortunately killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme.
His widow was entitled to John’s monies due amounting to £4.4s.9d then later received a war gratuity of £4.10s.0d. Her pension allocated was 15 shillings per week as from March 12th 1917.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
John Cartlidge is remembered at Silksworth on S111.01 and at Sunderland on S140.048 part 3
