Photo: Brian Chandler
The headstone reads:
In
loving memory of
William
beloved husband of
Elizabeth Patterson
of Bedlington Station
who departed this life
July 17th 1913
aged 65 years.
Also of John William
their son who died
at Sheerness May 22nd
1916 aged 31 years
Also the above
Elizabeth Patterson
who died Dec. 17th 1937
aged 78 years.
Derek Johnstone and Carole Fife have provided the following:
John William Patterson was born about 1885 in Bedlington, Northumberland. His parents were William Patterson, a railway signal man born at Shilbottle, Northumberland and Elizabeth Patterson who was born in Dumfries Scotland.
The 1891 census records show John William was 5 years old and his family, which included sibling Isabella aged 8, was living at Red Row, West Sleekburn, Northumberland.
By 1901 John William’s family had moved to Station House, Bedlington Station where he was employed as a locomotive cleaner at the age of 15.
No census records for 1911 containing reference to John William Patterson have been located or a record of a marriage.
Records show John William Patterson enlisted at Newburn, Newcastle and died of sickness at Sheerness Kent having served only in the home theatre.
It is not easy to ascertain where he is remembered. The following files contain the name of "J. Patterson" but there was also another "J. Patterson", ranked as "Corporal" who was a teacher at Whitley School.
The CWGC entry gives his date of death as 24th May 1916.
