Bill Richardson has submitted the following:
Thomas was born on 30th June 1870 at 214, Waterloo, Usworth, Co. Durham. He was the fifth child of John Richardson and his wife Elizabeth (nee Coyle). He was baptised on 21st July the abode was shown as Usworth Colliery.
The census of 1871 recorded him with his family at Waterloo Terrace, Usworth. His Dad, John (40) worked as a miner, his Mam, Elizabeth, was 33. Thomas had three sisters, Mary Ann (11), Isabella (9) and Elizabeth (5).
Some time between 1871 and 1881, Thomas' mother left his father and went to live in Seaham Harbour with Richard Clark. Thomas was recorded with Elizabeth and Richard in 1881 at William Street, Seaham Harbour. He was 10 years old and listed as a visitor.
The 1891 census recorded him as age 20 and working as a coal miner. He was living with his Mam, Elizabeth (52) and Richard Clark (51), this time he was listed as 'son'.
At some point in the next few years, Thomas moved to Leeds as, on 23rd April 1898, he married Elizabeth Ann Fowler at St Michael's Church, Buslingthorpe, Leeds. Thomas was 27 and Elizabeth was 27. His occupation was given as plate layer.
The census of 1901 showed Thomas and his family at 6 Lorne Street, Leeds. Thomas was 31 and worked as a labourer for the North Eastern Railway. Elizabeth was 30 and they had two children, William (2) and James (6 months).
By the time of the 1911 census, Thomas was 40. He and his family were living at 25 Buckton Place, Barton Hill in the Holbeck area of Leeds. His occupation was listed as dripping manufacturer, working for a tallow manufacturer. Elizabeth was 40. The census return stated they had been married for 13 years and in that time they'd had 8 children, two of whom had died. The surviving children were all in the house. William (12), James (10), Gladys (6), Eva (4), Arthur (2) and Ethel (10 weeks). The two who had died were Doris (born in 1902) and Reginald, a twin of Eva.
Thomas and Elizabeth were to have one final child, Edith, who was born in 1913 after the family returned to live in Seaham.
Though he was well over the age for conscription, Thomas was in the army in WW1. I have not been able to track down his service record, but he was killed in action (aged 46) on 1st July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and also on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Site. His service number was 20/1355 and he served with the Northumberland Fusiliers in the 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion. His medal card states he was awarded the Victory and British medals.
Thomas Richardson is remembered at Dawdon on D41.02 D41.04 and D41.06
