John Thomas Hope

‘Tot’ Hope 1934

In September 1934 The Durham County Advertiser and the Durham Chronicle printed a report of John Thomas Hope’s funeral under the headlines ‘Well Known Sportsman – Funeral of Mr J T  Hope at Ushaw Moor’ This article is typed from a photocopy that has  one or two words that are difficult to establish but here is ‘99%’ of what was reported:

Many mourners attended the funeral at Ushaw Moor Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon of Mr John Thomas Hope, aged 50, of Temperance Terrace, Ushaw Moor. Mr Hope has lived in the village all his life, and was employed at Ushaw Moor Colliery for the past 36 years. For over 17 years he was a chargeman and deputy at the colliery. In former days he captained both Ushaw Moor cricket and football teams, and he was also a successful sprinter. He was at one time treasurer of the Ushaw Moor Workingmen’s Club. He is survived by a widow and one daughter.

A service was conducted in St Luke’s Church, Ushaw Moor, by the Rev. J. H. P. Welby, after which the large cortege, headed by the Ushaw Moor Miners’ Lodge banner and officials, proceeded to the cemetery, where the last rites were performed. The chief mourners were: Mrs R Hope [daughter], Mr and Mrs Wood [brother in law and sister], Doncaster; Mr and Mrs G Hope [brother and sister in law], Tynemouth; Mr W Hope [brother], Durham; Mr and Mrs R Hope, New Brancepeth; Mrs Parker, Middlesborough; Mr and Mrs W Hope, Thornley; Mr J Hope, Ushaw Moor; Mrs J Knox, Ushaw Moor; Mrs Hodgson, Spennymoor; Mr Harper, Cornsay; Mrs Smith , Catchgate; Mrs Finegan, South Moor; Mrs Martin and Mrs Maddison, Sunderland; Mrs Frances, Quebec; Mrs E Smith, Sherburn; Mr Bell, Pity Me; Mr and Mrs J Wallhead, South Moor, Mr and Mrs P George, South Moor; Mrs Walker, Annfield Plain; Mrs Hobson and Mr Palmer, Greencroft; Mrs Stoddart, Mr B Palmer; Mr James Graham, Annfield Plain; Mr and Mrs J Smith, Mr and Ms Mecalfe, Mr J [or L ?} Stewart, Mr and Mrs F[?]ennick, Mr Lewis, Mr and Mrs J  W….? and Mr Russell. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr R W Alderson of Ushaw Moor.

‘Tot’ had scratched his thumb on an iron nail whilst working underground and died of septicemia several days later when in the Royal Victoria Infirmary at Newcastle.

Wilf Bell