Colin McMillan has provided the following:
In 1881 George Robert Fawdon was I year old and the youngest child of 34 year old John Fawdon, a plate layer, and 33 year old Eglingham born Sarah Fawdon. He had a 3 year old sister, Mary who, like George himself and their father, was born in Bedlington. They were then living at West End, Bedlington. Also living with them was 75 year old widow Margaret Green who was Sarah’s Mother, born in Whittingham.
By 1891 George, now 11, had two more siblings; 5 year old Sarah L Fawdon and 2 year old Cecil G Fawdon, both born in Bedlington. (On the England and Wales Civil Registration Birth Index 1837-1915 “Cecil” is shown as Cecilia Gertrude Fawdon.) George’s grandmother was no longer there and the family had moved to Hepscott.
In 1901 the family still lived in Hepscott and presumably in the same house. George’s older sister had married and was now Mary McDougal. George was 21 and working, like his father, as a railway plate layer.
By 1911 George was 32 and head of the household at 10 Dacre Court, Morpeth. His marriage to Sarah Jane Fawdon (nee Young) was recorded in the Apr-May-Jun quarter of the Civil Registration Marriage List 1905. At the time of the Census Sarah Jane was 35 and in the 6 years of their marriage they had three children, all of whom were living with them. They were 9 year old John Fawdon, 5 year old Sarah Fawdon and 2 year old Hannah Fawdon, all born in Morpeth. We also know that a fourth child was born to them on 14th July 1911. She was Florence Fawdon. Also born in the town was the boarder, 47 year old John Young who might well have been Sarah Jane Fawdon’s brother. He was a casual labourer. George had changed his occupation and was then a brickyard labourer.
George Robert Fawdon attested at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The document is dated 9th June 1915 and indicates that he was 40 years and I month old. This cannot be correct as many other sources such as Census returns show that he was born in 1880 and therefore would have been 35 years old at that time. The Short Service attestation form also shows that he was then living at 10 Union Street, Morpeth, that he worked as a cartman and that he had previously served in the army for 3 years. Another document dated 15th June 1915 shows that he was discharged from 3 Company, Army Service Corps after a mere 7 days. The reason given was “because of having been irregularly enlisted”. An Army Service Corps form from the Woolwich Dockyard office dated 17th June 1915 tells us that his character was good and it confirms his address as above.
At some time he must have enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers because he was serving with them as 20/1671 Private Fawdon, G.D. when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Morpeth Herald 08/09/1916 carries the following:
Mrs Fawdon, of 10 Union Street, Morpeth, has received official information that her husband, Private G.R. Fawdon, is missing since July 1st. Information of her husband will be gladly received by Mrs Fawdon.
Morpeth Herald 17/11/1916 carries a brief obituary:
ROLL OF HONOUR
FAWDON.- Missing since July 1st, 1916, now reported killed, Private George Robert Fawdon (Tyneside Scottish), of Morpeth.
The face we loved is now laid low,
The fond, true heart is still;
The hand we clasped when saying goodbye,
Lies now in death’s cold chill.
His pleasant face and kindly ways,
Are pleasant to recall,
He had a kindly word for each,
And died beloved of all.
(Ever remembered by his loving wife and family, and all who knew him).
Morpeth Herald 24/11/1916 carries the following:
ROLL OF HONOUR
FAWDON.- Previously reported missing, now reported killed, on July 1st, 1916, Private Geo. Robert Fawdon (No.1671, N.F.), aged 37 years, eldest son of John and Sarah Fawdon, 5 Stafford’s Yard, Morperh.
Somewhere in France our hero sleeps, To walk on earth no more,
A British hero to the heart, His precious life his gave;
He died upon the battle-field, The British flag to save.
Could we have raised his dying head, Or heard his last farewell,
The grief would not have been so hard, For those who loved him well.
Sleep on, dear son, in a soldier’s grave, A grave we may never see;
But as long as life and memory lasts, We will remember thee.
(Deeply mourned by his father, mother, sister, and brother.)
George Robert Fawdon is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01 and M17.09
