William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
William was born at Easington Lane in 1880 and baptised later on April 27th 1880. His parents were John Riddle Bagley and Charlotte (nee Brown Hills) who married at South Hetton on May 22nd 1877. The couple went on to have 8 children although unfortunately 3 died.
The children were named Georgiana, William, Isabel, John (died as an infant), Thomas (died aged 2 years), Sarah, Mildred (died aged 3 years) and Frederick.
In 1881 the family were living at Brick Garth Hetton le Hole. John was working as a fireman at the colliery. The couple had two young children, Charlotte aged 2 and William who was only 11 months old.
By 1891 there had been two new additions to the family, Sarah and Isabel. John was now a coal miner. Their home was now at Elemore Lane, Hetton le Hole
1901 William was now a labourer in the shipyard and was boarding with McNichol family at 8 Collingwood Terrace, Southwick.
The 1911 census shows William coal hewer) now back home with his family in Easington. His only sibling still at home is 16-year-old Frederick who is working as an apprentice joiner.
William married Mary Isabel Young in 1913. They went on to have two sons, William and Preston. Mary later remarried a Mr Robinson.
William enlisted at Sunderland although few details are available from records.
The Newcastle Journal 12/10/1916 reports:-
Mrs Bagley of Mawston’s Building New Seaham has received official information that her husband Lance Corporal William Bagley, Northumberland Fusiliers has been killed in action. He was previously reported missing since 01/07/1916. The deceased soldier was well known in local football circles as “Common” Bagley being captain of Seaham Albion F.C. for four seasons.
NB Alfred Common, born at Millfield, Sunderland in 1880 was the first footballer to be transferred from Sunderland to Middlesbrough in 1905 for £1,000.
Mary received a weekly pension of 12/6d as from February 26th 1917. Monies due to William amounting to £3.15s.4d with a later war gratuity of £6.10s0d were awarded to his widow.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
William Bagley is remembered in Seaham on S117.02, S117.04, S117.05, S117.06 and S117.20
