Colin McMillan has provided the following:
William Philip Appleby appears on the 1881 census as the 3 year old son of 34 year old Morpeth born Thomas Appleby, a coachman, and 35 year old Whalton born Eleanor Appleby. William had two siblings: 7 year old Anne who was at school and 1 year old Mary Ellen. All of the children were born in Morpeth. There were three lodgers living with the family at 10 Forrest Buildings. They were 27 year old Francis Harrison, a watch maker; 25 year old John Stewart, a stone mason and 27 year old John Braithwaite, an iron fitter.
Several changes had taken place by 1891. Thomas was now a labourer and 13 year old William was at school. Mother Eleanor had become Ellen and two more daughters had joined the family: 8 year old Elizabeth J., who was still at school and 3 year old Alice M, both of whom, like their older siblings, were born in Morpeth. The address was Forrests Buildings but no number was given.
By 1901 Thomas was described as an agricultural labourer, Mary E was a dressmaker working at home “on her own account”, Elizabeth J was no longer with them and William, now 23 was a postman.
On 23rd June 1903 William married Mary Ann Appleby (nee Robson) from Felton and between them they had five children up to the time of the next census in 1911. They were all born in Morpeth. William was the head of the household, his mother was dead and his father, now aged 67 and still working as a labourer, was living with them. The two oldest children, Maud (7) and Thomas (6) were at school. The younger children were Elizabeth (4), John (2) and 6 month old Eleanor. William (33) was still a postman and the family were now living at 6 Jubilee Buildings, Morpeth.
William Philip Appleby enlisted at Morpeth and served with 8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles), London Regiment. He was killed in action on the Western Front Theatre of War on 23rd March 1918.
Recipient of the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
At the time of probate in 1920 his widow inherited his effects amounting to £155 17s 11d and the address was given as 7 Gray’s Yard, Morpeth. Pension records give details of two further children Mary born in 1912 and William in 1914.
William Philip Appleby is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, M17.02, M17.09 and M17.14
