Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Thomas was born at Low Fell in 1877 to parents Thomas and Eliza (nee Hindmarch) who were both from Northumberland. The couple who married at Alnwick in 1872 went on to have 7 children together but unfortunately 2 died.
Thomas senior was born in 1837 at Charity Hall, Alwinton. Although the house name indicates some sort of charitable dwelling this is just supposition as no information is available at present.
By 1901 the family lived at Dene Cottage Low Fell along with 2 female servants, Elizabeth and Ann.
Thomas was a Freemason and a member of 3105 Moseley Lodge, Birtley which had been founded in 1905. He was initiated on 13 November 1907; passed on 12 February 1908 then raised on 13 May 1908. He became Senior Warden of his lodge.
Father, Thomas, was a draper by trade so by 1911 census the family were doing well. Several family members (Thomas, Michael and Gordon) worked in the drapery trade possibly helping their father in his shop. No occupation for daughters, Jane and Susannah is shown. Although all the children were in their 20/30s none of them appear to have married and seemed to be happily residing at home. The household were still able to employ a servant.
Thomas’s service record is scant. He enlisted at Newcastle. On 29 January 1916 his unit was mobilised for war subsequently being transported to Havre and onwards to the front.
Thomas was killed in action at Aveluy Wood on Saturday 1st June 1918. He was interred at Martinsart British Cemetery. His mother had the following inscription added to his headstone:- “ All honour give to those who nobly striving Fell that we might live.”
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Acknowledgements: Rev. David Youngson
Thomas Hedley is remembered at Gateshead on G39.003 and at Newcastle in NUT256 pages 195 and 245, in the Masonic Roll of Honour and in Rev. Youngson's Masonic Roll of Honour part 3
