William Thomas Cardy
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
William was born at New Herrington on January 30th 1878. His parents were Edward John (from Bristol) and Mary (nee Smith) who were married on March 6th 1870. The couple had 9 children together but sadly 3 died.
The 1881 census shows Edward working as a coal miner. The family lived at Low Downs, Hetton le Hole. The 4 young sons living with them at that time were George, Joseph, Wm Thomas and Edward John
By 1891 additional family members had arrived namely Margaret, Robert and Smith (b 1890 d 1892). The older sons Joseph and William were now coal miners. The family were now living at 16 Jane Street, Hetton le Hole.
The 1901 census shows Edward senior to be working as a coal miner airwayman below ground. For some reason he is ticked in the disabled column.
Meanwhile William was a coal miner waggonway man whilst Robert was a coal miner/horsekeeper. Young Edward was also a miner below ground. The family have moved once again and are now occupying 14 St Andrew Terrace Cold Hesledon.
Late in 1901 William married his sweetheart, Isabella Todd.
His father died in 1906.
In 1911 William had his own home at 37 Church Street, Seaham Harbour. There are 3 sons in the home Thomas, Edward John and Jonas.
Since husband Edward senior's widow Isabella (aged 59) was now living at home with only her son, Robert.
William enlisted at Sunderland and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on July 1st 1916. His body was never found.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
Monies due to her husband at the time of his death amounted to £6.9s.2d with a later war gratuity of £7.0s.0d.
Isabella remarried John Ridley on May 18th 1918, a civilian. On her second marriage Isabella received a remarriage gratuity of £33.19s.8d (paid June 21st 1918). The children’s pension was being paid to their mother. The weekly pension amounted to 31 shillings 3d as from April 4th for her sons as previously stated but also 2 younger children, Elsie and William born after 1911.
William Thomas Cardy is remembered at Dawdon on D41.06 and at Seaham on as TW Cardy, S117.04, on S117.05 as W.O. Cardy and S117.06
