More On Local Lads In WW1 Theatres Of War

While the Ushaw Moor miners were striving manfully [and with courage] to fuel the war there were lads from the area showing conspicious bravery. An example is Fred Hopper; he had an unusual view of the war, being an aerial gunner in the Royal Flying Corps. On 10th of October 1918 he got a mention in a London Gazette  supplement which confirmed his award of the Military Medal [MM]. That award was created in 1916 and was the equivalent of the DFC and MC. You have probably seen the film that portrays lads of the RFC. I believe that Michael York starred in it. If you go to www.ivanberryman.co.uk you will find further information and art regarding the likes of Mr Hopper's working conditions.

James Kirkup was also awarded the MM for bravery, at Ypres in 1917. I seem to recall that a local newspaper reported that his medal had been stolen a few years after the war; it ended well when his mother, a resident of Ushaw Moor, received a duplicate.

I wonder whether William and Margaret Kirkup were in some way related to James Kirkup. Back in 1901 they lived in the vicinity together with their children George, John and Ernest. 

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Author releases railway walks booklet (From The Northern Echo)

BISHOP Auckland-based author John Swain has released Railway Walks Two: Branch Lines Around Durham City.

The booklet covers Ushaw Moor, Waterhouses, Witton Gilbert, Lanchester, and the former route to Hetton and Murton junction from Durham Elvet.

Copies, priced at £9.50, are available from shops in Durham and Bishop Auckland.

To order from Mr Swain, write to: 38 Rochester Close, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0RJ, and include £1.50 for postage.

via Author releases railway walks booklet (From The Northern Echo).

Halls Of 'Residence'

Taken literally I could mention Hall Avenue, Broom Hall Drive, Flass Hall and Broom Hall Farm, but that it not quite what I had in mind.

Back at the start of the 20th century there were a few people in Ushaw Moor called Hall. Three that I know about were:  [1] John Hall of 10 Temperance Terrace; he was in his 60s by then and and living in the household of widow Mary Stephenson. I believe he was her uncle [2] Teenager George Hall was living in the household of Mr and Mrs Chapman at Cockhouse Farm and [3]Wiliam Hall, a grandson, was living in the household of Mr and Mrs Carling at 10 West Street.

In 1912 a seventeen year old, Robert Hall, collapsed and died at work: it was of natural causes, not a pit accident.

Moving on to 1914 I know that a Mr W Hall, Ushaw Moor Colliery's checkweighman, was elected as representative to the  Trades Union Congress;  I understand that was the only year in its history [ from 1868]  that the TUC Congress  had to cancel the event - no doubt owing to the outbreak of WW1.     

I personally recall a young John Hall. He attended the same school as me and was in form 4a. He was bright, not very tall and loved a Woodbine! Sadly [I am told]  he died at an early age.   

I seem to recall a lad called Eddie Hall. If I am right he was a good football player for Ushaw Moor County School, just a bit before I played for them. I believe he went on to play for Ushaw Moor Juniors; no doubt someone will put be right about that if I am wrong.  

We must not forget Sheila Hall. Sheila is known to this site and has made valued contributions to it.

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Photographs - What Do You Think?

As Martin Luther King once said:  I have a dream...

Some photographs tell a story worth more than words. That said, and if agreed, would it not be a good idea for residents to leave old photographs of Ushaw Moor at the Ushaw Moor Post Office for Paul to copy on to the Community Site? That would be good publicity for the Post Office and Paul! It might generate custom for them both. A simple system to ensure the return of the photograph could easily be adopted: stick the photo in a self addressed envelope and leave it at the Post Office for return by arrangement. 

What does Paul think about it? What do you think about it? What does the Post Office think about it?

It might even be a good idea to create a book of Ushaw Moor photographs. Maybe the local council could offer a grant for its publication. It could be sold at the Post Office. Having said all that about a book - is it already in the pipeline?

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Like Fishing At Broadgate

I have almost bust a gut in trying to entertain readers and at the same time evoke good memories of the Deerness Valley. It's like fishing at Broadgate; a bit of 'pigeon' to attract Alf or maybe a flashing four to surprise Peter. A bit of worm coated in Co-op butter might be the end of Brian but provide a fish for tea! It sometimes works but often does not; such is the way of fishing!

I referred to Budgie the hairdresser a short while back. I always think of  the song He Jude when I ponder on her, which is not too often. It was playing on the Juke Box back in 1968 when her eyes met mine for twenty minutes.  I did not pursue or capitalise. Beauty is skin deep anyway. Keep telling yourself that Wilf. Now and again I think of her and almost to this day no one has matched her haunting beauty. Then it happened: I spotted an advert on a train from Reading bound for Gatwick. It was  encouraging me to buy a bus and train combination ticket. Naturally the advert was using a very attractive girl to sell the product and that girl matched the beauty of Budgie. Or nearly so. Back to the drawing board!

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15 And 16 Ladysmith Terrace

Back in the early 1900s Irishman Tommy Wilson and his Crook born wife Catherine lived at number 15 with their children John and Richard. Next door neighbours Tommy and Helen Hudson, both Yorkshire born, had  several children, all born in Esh; Nesta, Helen, Emily, Jessie, Christiana and Harold. How did Harold cope with all those sisters?

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Cold And Freezing 1947

Here is just a little tag to get your 1947 memories up and running.

On  the 5th of February 1947  snow was 15 inches deep when measured at Ushaw College. Ten days later it was 22 inches. By the 28th of February it was 28 inches!

Source: The monthly report of the Meteorological Office

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