William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Hugh’s parents, Charles and Belfast born Mary (nee Feenan), married on July 13th 1879 at St Bede’s Roman Catholic Church, Whitehaven. Hugh was born at Whitehaven the following year. His siblings including step siblings included John, Frank, Kate, Mary, Robert, Catherine, Edward and Elizabeth.
The 1881 census shows Hugh living with his parents at Whitehaven. His father, Charles, was an unemployed coal miner at that time.
In 1891 family had moved to Jarrow where Charles had found work as a shipyard labourer.
By 1911 Hugh had married Catherine O’Neill (nee Jones) on July 30th 1910 and was living at 16 Church Street, Felling. Hugh has a job as a coal miner shifter. Living with Hugh and Catherine were 3 step children who were the children of Catherine’s former husband, James O’Neil, whom she had married at Gateshead in 1891.
Hugh had 3 children of his own with Catherine who were named Mary, Elizabeth Ann and Hugh.
Hugh enlisted at South Shields on September 3rd 1914 at the older age of 34. It seems he had previously been in service but was discharged due to expiration of service
His records show he was 5‘4” tall, weighed 116 lbs, had grey eyes and brown hair He was of the Roman Catholic faith.
He became ill soon after he enlisted being admitted to Tidworth Hospital on November 25th 1914 where he was patient for only a couple of weeks as he died on December 8th 1914 at 12.03am. His cause of death was recorded as olitis media (middle ear infection) and basal meningitis.
The following words were added to his gravestone :- R.I.P Ever Remembered
His stepson James O'Neil also died in WW1
Hugh Coffell is remembered at East Boldon on E46.01 as Coffle, at Felling on F32,24 as Coffel and at West Boldon on W99.02 and W99.06 as Coffle
