Photo: Derek Haynes

Derek Haynes has submitted the following:

Born in the March Q 1897, Matthew was the youngest of six children to Thomas & Mary Rock, the other children from the marriage were:
Thomas Rock – December Q 1882
Martha Rock – 11th June 1885
Catherine Rock – December Q 1887
Mary Rock – December Q 1892
James Rock – March Q 1895
All the children‘s births apart from Mary whose birth was registered in Hartlepool were registered in Sunderland. Sadly Matthew would never get to know three of his siblings who died in childhood before he was born.

The birth of Thomas and Mary’s first daughter Martha on the 11th June 1885 should have been a time of happiness for the family but it turned to tragedy when she died the next day at the family home of 22 Cornhill Road, Southwick. Martha was laid to rest on the 15th June 1885 in Section Q Q Grave no. 5940 of Southwick Cemetery.

At some time between Martha’s death in 1885 and the time the 1891 census was taken (Sunday 5th April) the family moved to Hartlepool, where on the night of the census they were residing at Wood Street, Stranton with Thomas and Bridget Rock, the parents of Thomas. Perhaps the move came about because Thomas was looking for employment. Work in the shipyards where Thomas was employed as a Riveter was never secure, with men being laid off when a ship was completed. It was here at Hartlepool that just over a year later Mary was born.

The family returned to Southwick and took up residence at 15 Back William Street and it was here that in 1896 a double tragedy struck. James aged just 13 months died on the 6th February and was laid to rest on the 9th February in Section PP Grave no. 5056 of Southwick Cemetery. This was followed soon after by the death of 8 year old Catherine on the18th May, she was laid to rest on the 21st May in Section PP Grave no. 5060 a very short distance from where her younger brother lay.

By the time of the 1901 census the family was still residing at 15 William Street, in two rooms, father Thomas was employed as a shipyard labourer, and the eldest son Thomas was serving his time as an apprentice plater in a shipyard. At home with their mother were 8 year old Mary and 4 year old Matthew.

1911 and Thomas the father was employed at William Pickersgill’s shipyard as a plater’s helper, son Thomas was now a time served plater. It was most likely that young Thomas was employed in the same shipyard as his father, as the majority of sons followed their fathers into the same firm. Mary was also in employment working as a cutter in Turnbull’s Glass Works, while Matthew, now aged 15 was still at home with his mother.

It is not known when Matthew enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry and was given the regimental number 27500. At some time he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) and given the new number 5732. His army records did not survive but we do know Michael made it home. Sadly, two years after the war ended, aged 23 years, he passed away at 8 Brougham Street, Southwick, on the 6th August 1920. Michael was laid to rest on the 10th August 1920 in Section 2, Grave no. 420 of Southwick Cemetery. A CWGC headstone marks his final resting place.Inscribed at the base of the stone were the letters: R. I. P.

For his service to his country Matthew was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Thomas died at the family home, aged 68 years, on the 23rd January 1930 and laid to rest on the 27th January 1930. His wife Mary died in the Municipal Hospital aged 70 years on the 31st October 1931 and was laid to rest on the 4th November 1931. They were both interred in Section 2, Grave no. 516 of Southwick Cemetery.

Matthew Rock is remembered in Sunderland on S140.048 page 262

The CWGC entry for Private Rock