In St. John’s Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

T.W. Swinhoe
Stoker 2nd Class. RN, K/50362
H.M.S. “Monarch”
1st January 1919 age 21.

The husband of R.E. Richardson, of 37, Beatrice Street, Hirst, Ashington, Northumberland.

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

Thomas’s early life is a bit obscure as the only birth for a Thomas William Swinhoe in the area is different from that given in his records. There is no trace of family until the 1901 Census when Thomas was living with his grandparents George William Aynsley, a miner and his wife Elizabeth and their children at 22, New Row, Horton, Northumberland.

Ten years later Thomas was living with an uncle and aunt, George Patterson, a Deputy Overman and his wife Isabella Ann at 35, Rosalind Street, Hirst.

In July 1917 Thomas married Rose E. Smith and the couple set up home at 37, Beatrice Street, Seaton Hirst.

Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22nd March 1918 as a Hostilities Only rating when he was described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. His occupation was given as miner.

Thomas died on 1st January 1919 in the 1st Northern General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne from the effects of Influenza and Pneumonia. His widow, Rose married William Richardson in October 1920 and the couple continued to live at the Beatrice Street address.

Thomas W. Swinhoe is remembered at Ashington on A17.01 and A17.43 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.