In Christ Church Churchyard Great Lumley is a family headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
Thomas
Beloved husband of
Frances Litherland
Died 6th July 1943
Aged 66 years
Also Stanley, Edwin
Pte. Jack & James
Sons of the above
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Thomas Litherland was born at Great Lumley on May 9th 1877 the son of Lancashire born James and his wife Mary. James in 1881 was a colliery labourer at Lumley 6th Pit.
By 1891 Mary had died and James with his family of six children was still living at 6th Pit.
Thomas married Frances Shanks in 1896 at Newcastle. In 1901 they were living at 5 Hurworth Street Jarrow with their young son, James born 1897. At this time, Thomas, was working as a labourer at the gas production in the steel works. Son John George Shanks born 1899 was a patient at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary at the time of the census. Frances gave birth to William Turnbull September 2nd 1901.
By 1911 the family were living at 25 Railway Terrace New Herrington. There were 6 people living in 2 rooms. Thomas, was now a coal miner/deputy overman below ground whilst James aged 14 was working as a belt boy above ground. John and William were attending school. Thomas Edwin was only four months old.
Stanley and Mary Isabella were born in 1913 followed by Joseph in 1915. Unfortunately, both Thomas Edwin and Stanley died in 1916.
Thomas, enlisted and joined as service number 21/486 with 3rd and 21st Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers. He enlisted soon after the war began on November 10th 1914 and served until July 17th 1917 when he was discharged due to wounds received in action. He was issued with a Silver Badge number 122530.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Two of his sons served in WW1. John George Shanks (Jack) was killed in action in 1916 aged just 16 years and James who died in 1923 from the results of his wounds.
In 1933 Thomas was one of the first committee members of the newly opened British Legion Branch at Dubmire, Fence Houses (Sunderland Echo 28/03/1933)
The 1939 Register shows Thomas, Frances and Mary Isabella still living at 26 Station Terrace Fence Houses. Thomas was a Retired Surface Worker and Mary I. was a Nurse she later in 1944 married Edward Lewis at Burnmoor Parish Church.
Son William Turnbull went down the local coal mine and then September 3rd 1919 aged 18 years he joined the Navy with Service number SS123798 (SS = ships staff). He signed up for 12 years. He served first on Victory II, then Columba and then back to Victory II. He transferred September 22nd 1922 to cs (central staff) as K.59908. William was 57 with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion, his Character noted as Very Good, ability was satisfactory. He had a couple of absences. First being whilst aboard the Iron Duke when he was absent for 14 days. Then again December 31st 1928 leaving Gibraltar fortress entering without permit wearing civilian clothes. Ships William served on included Nelson, Dolphin, Iron Duke, Caradoc and Vindictive
William left the Navy November 14th 1932 with the remark added to his records shore- unsuitable for rating of stoker 1 In 1936 he was living at Epsom Surrey.
On the 1939 Register William is at 30 Hermes Street Hammersmith London. He is a builders’ scaffolder. In 1941 William returned to County Durham when he married Gladys J. Rawling.
William Turnbull Litherdale was buried at Tower Hamlets February 2nd 1958. He died at St Josephs Hospice. This hospice is still going today originally worked by Irish Sisters of Charity.
The 1939 Register shows Thomas and Frances’ youngest son Joseph B. Litherland working as a police constable in Surrey. A note adds that Joseph was in the Army Reserve with the Coldstream Guards. He married Beatrice May Blackburn in Norfolk in 1941.
Thomas died July 6th 1943 aged 66 years and was buried at Christ Church, Great Lumley. Frances died in 1957.
Thomas Litherland is remembered at Fence Houses on F47.04
