Photo: Derek Haynes

Derek Haynes has provided the following:

The birth of Lawrence was registered in the September Q 1908 in Sunderland. He was the fourth child of eleven to Patrick and Mary Susan Loughlin (nee Olds) who were married March Q 1903 in Sunderland.

The children were:
Edward Loughlin – September Q 1903
Martin Olds Loughlin – March Q 1905
George Marshall Cooper Loughlin – June Q 1906
Amelia Loughlin – September Q 1911
Alice Loughlin – March Q 1913
Mary S. Loughlin – March Q 1915
Philip Loughlin – September Q 1921
Hilda Loughlin – June Q 1924
Patrick Loughlin – December Q 1926
Thomas S. Loughlin – June Q 1928

All the births were registered in Sunderland.

On the night of Sunday 2nd April 1911 when the census was taken Lawrence, aged 2 years, was residing in 2 rooms at 6 Hanneman Street, Carley Place, Southwick with his parents and three older brothers. His father Patrick was employed as a Plater’s Helper in the shipbuilding industry.

By the June Q 1928 the last child, Thomas, was born, but sadly at the beginning of June 1929 tragedy struck the family when Lawrence’s father Patrick, aged 49 years, died at the family home of 11 Hahnemann Street, Southwick.

The following announcement appeared in the Sunderland Echo 03/06/1929:

11 Hahnemann Street, June 2, aged 40 years, Patrick beloved husband of Mary Loughlin (nee Olds). Internment Southwick Cemetery Thursday, cortege leaving 1.30 for service in St. Hilda’s Church. All friends invited. R.I.P.

On the 5th June 1929 Patrick was laid to rest in Section 2, Grave no. 519 of Southwick Cemetery.

By the time of the 1939 Registration Mary was living alone at 24 Richmond Street in the parish of Monkwearmouth.

It was known that Lawrence married, but so far to whom and when has not yet been determined, his wife’s surname was unknown but her forenames were Ellen Kirkby. Ellen can also be found on the 1939 Registration where she was residing at 1 Edward Burdis Street, Southwick. With her was Terence R. Loughlin (date of birth 12th December 1932). The record shows that he was attending school. Also there were two others whose records are still officially closed, possibly children younger than Terence. Though the record gives the date of birth for Terence R. there was no reference showing in the GRO birth records.

It was possible by this time that Lawrence has enlisted into the Royal Artillery as he cannot be found in the registration records for 1939.

There was also no information available concerning the war service of Lawrence. What is known is that he served as a Gunner in the 7th Surrey Regiment of the Royal Artillery, service number 1069968.

Service records after 1922 are restricted and only held by the MOD, though direct relatives can apply to access an individual’s record.

Lawrence died aged 35 years in the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital on the 17th February 1944, the following announcement was placed in the Sunderland Echo 19/02/1944:

"Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital, February 17, aged 35 years, Lawrence, dearly beloved husband of Ellen Loughlin. Internment at Southwick Cemetery on Monday, Cortege leaving residence (66 Carley Road) at 2.30 p.m. for service in St. Hilda’s R.C. Church. Deeply mourned. Funeral private. R.I.P. "

Lawrence was laid to rest on the 21st February 1944 in Section 2. Grave no. 483 of Southwick Cemetery. A CWGC headstone marks his final resting place. Inscribed at the base of the stone are the words: OUT OF THE DEPTHS O LORD HAVE I CRIED UNTO THEE.

Ellen aged 80 years died at Ashbrooke House, 10 The Cedars (a Care Home) in late February, early March 1994. She was laid to rest on the 4th March 1994 in Ward 7, Section LS, Grave no. 80 of Southwick Cemetery.

I have so far been unable to find a death record for Lawrence’s mother, Mary Susan. Though still a widow in 1939 it was possible she remarried.

Lawrence Loughlin is not remembered on a local war memorial.

The CWGC entry for Gunner Loughlin