Son of W.P. 'Bill'
Richardson's Great Great Uncle, John Richardson
Thomas was born on
30th June 1870 at 214, Waterloo Terrace, Usworth, Co.
Durham. He was the fifth child of John Richardson and
his wife Elizabeth (nee Coyle). The
census of 1871 recorded him with his family at Waterloo
Terrace, Usworth. Thomas was recorded on the census
return as being 2 months old but I think that was a
mistake on the enumerator's part, he was actually about
10 months old. His Dad, John (40) worked as a
miner, his Mam, Elizabeth, was 33. Thomas had three
sisters, Mary Ann (11), Isabella (9) and Elizabeth (5).
Some time between 1871 and 1881, Thomas' mother left his
father and went to live in Seaham Harbour with Richard
Clark. Thomas was recorded with Elizabeth and Richard in
1881 at William Street, Seaham Harbour. He was 10 years
old and listed as a visitor. The 1891
census recorded him as age 20 and working as a coal
miner. He was living with his Mam, Elizabeth (52) and
Richard Clark (51), this time he was listed as 'son'.
Thomas' niece, Elizabeth Ann Kirby (6) was also in the
house. She was the daughter of Thomas' sister Elizabeth.
In the second quarter of 1898, Thomas married Elizabeth
Ann Fowler at St Michael's Church, Buslingthorpe, Leeds.
Thomas was 28 and Elizabeth was 27. The
census of 1901 showed Thomas and his family at 6 Lorne
Street, Leeds. Thomas was 31 and worked as a labourer
for the North Eastern Railway. Elizabeth was 30 and they
had two children, William (2) and James (6 months).
By the time of the 1911 census, Thomas was 40. He and
his family were living at 25 Buckton Place, Barton Hill
in the Holbeck area of Leeds. His occupation was listed
as dripping manufacturer, working for a tallow
manufacturer. Elizabeth was 40. The census return stated
they had been married for 13 years and in that time
they'd had 8 children, two of whom had died. The
surviving children were all in the house. William (12),
James (10), Gladys (6), Eva (4), Arthur (2) and Ethel
(10 weeks).
Thomas and Elizabeth were to have one final child,
Edith, who was born in 1913 after the family returned to
live in Seaham. Though he was well over the
age for conscription, Thomas was in the army in WW1. I
have not been able to track down his service record, but
he was killed in action (aged 46) on 1st July 1916
and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and also on
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Site. His
service number was 20/1355 and he served with the
Northumberland Fusiliers in the 20th (Tyneside Scottish)
Battalion. His medal card states he was awarded the
Victory and British medals. |
