William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John was born at Bull Cragg, Durham in 1877 to Irish parents James and Mary (nee Fallon). The couple had 7 children together although sadly 3 died.
In 1881 James senior was working as a coal miner as was his son, James. Daughter, Elizabeth was a domestic servant aged 14. The other siblings were Annie, Jane, John and Bridget, Also living with them was his wife’s mother, Mary Fallon.
By 1891 life has totally changed as only 69-year-old Mary Fallon (grandmother) and John aged 13 (still at school) were living together at Sunderland Road, St Giles, Durham.
Mary was shown as living on her own means.
1901 the family are mainly back together at 25 back South Railway Street, Dawdon. John was a hewer, whilst sister, Bridget worked as a bottle packer.
1911 Mother Mary had died in 1910 although the couple would have been married for 50 years if she had lived. Widower James at the age of 76 was now a retired coal hewer living on a pension. John was still working as a hewer. Sister Bridget had married and had 8 children but only 4 survived. In 1911 she was now a widow and at home acting as housekeeper for the family.
The family also had a boarder named Katie King who worked as a wirewinder at the ropery works.
James Early died in 1914.
There is hardly any information about the service of Private John Early in WW1. He enlisted at Sunderland, joined the Yorkshire Regiment and was posted to the Balkans Theatre of War on July 14th 1915.
He was killed in action on September 27th 1917.
The monies due to him were received by his sister, Bridget Riley (nee Early), the amount being £9.11s.4d and later a war gratuity of £13.10s.0d.
Medals: the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John Early is remembered at Seaham on S117.20
