William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Edward was born to parents Matthew and Anne (nee Richardson) at Seaham Harbour in 1893. The couple who married in 1878 had 12 children together but unfortunately Alice was born and died in 1901.
The 1901 census records the family living at South Railway Street Seaham Harbour. Also living with them at that time was Ann’s 68 year old father, Mansfield Richardson. The siblings included John William, Hannah, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary A., Mansfield, Stephen, Edward, James and Joseph Richardson.
However, by 1911 the census showed 8 remaining family members living in a 2 roomed accommodation at 42 First Street Horden Colliery. Several of the young people had moved on to jobs and possibly been married. The girls have certainly moved by then.
Father Matthew worked as an underground shifter labourer in the mine as did most of his sons. Thomas as a labourer underground cleaner out, Stephen a coal putter, Edward a pony driver as was his younger brother, James. The 2 youngest lads Joseph and Matthew born 1902 were still at school. Edward did not marry.
Edward enlisted and by July 13th 1915 he was posted to France with the Yorkshire Regiment.
He died in France February 1st 1917 at the age of 24 years. He lies in France alongside 534 comrades.
He was awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Edward Williams is remembered at Horden on H130.05 and H130.08
