 Has any one else noticed the many Irish names on this memorial stone? There was a large Irish community living in Stockton well before 1900, in the Housewife Lane, Thistlegreen, Cherry Lane area and other old streets of Stockton alongside the river. Many worked in the foundries, ship building and all the other things that went with heavy industry type work. It was only the other day I went for a look at the memorial stone to try and find if the J W McIntosh on the stone was a relative and found he was! The same day, I noticed 2 Casey’s – James & John . I believe the James Casey is my relative and have documents on him, but the John Casey I haven’t a clue. Stockton lost a great deal of young men during the Great War and its right that we remember them, as all young men from both wars and conflicts since. I also noticed two Murphy’s on the memorial stone and wondered if they were relatives of my Maternal great grandmother Margaret Murphy McIntosh, she died a short time after I was born in 1947, she was in a Catholic hospice in Sunderland. I was only a baby when I was taken to see her so I have no memory of this lady sad to say. I wonder if the McIntosh’s i knew in the 60s were my relatives? Photograph and comment courtesy of Derek Casey |
Has any one else noticed the many Irish names on this memorial stone? There was a large Irish community living in Stockton well before 1900, in the Housewife Lane, Thistlegreen, Cherry Lane area and other old streets of Stockton alongside the river. Many worked in the foundries, ship building and all the other things that went with heavy industry type work. It was only the other day I went for a look at the memorial stone to try and find if the J W McIntosh on the stone was a relative and found he was! The same day, I noticed 2 Casey’s – James & John . I believe the James Casey is my relative and have documents on him, but the John Casey I haven’t a clue. Stockton lost a great deal of young men during the Great War and its right that we remember them, as all young men from both wars and conflicts since. I also noticed two Murphy’s on the memorial stone and wondered if they were relatives of my Maternal great grandmother Margaret Murphy McIntosh, she died a short time after I was born in 1947, she was in a Catholic hospice in Sunderland. I was only a baby when I was taken to see her so I have no memory of this lady sad to say. I wonder if the McIntosh’s i knew in the 60s were my relatives? Photograph and comment courtesy of Derek Casey
Derek,
Many Irish citizens have served in British Military forces during both World War I and World War II, with many having been awarded the Victoria Cross, in fact, from the nationals taking part in these two conflicts the only country which has more VC winners is England with 614. Ireland, with 190 awards outranks Scotland who have 158 and Australia who have 97. Your relative, the world-famous comedian Jimmy James (James Casey of Stockton-on-Tees) served n the First World War, he was a sergeant in the Northumberland Fusiliers but was invalided out after being severely gassed on the Western Front.
Numerous war memorials exist in Ireland dedicated to the Irish personnel who served in the British Armed forces. Aside from these memorials, Irish surnames feature prominently on all war memorials situated in towns and cities across Britain itself. The most prominent Ireland based memorial is dedicated to the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died during World War I, whilst the Menin Gate in Ypres features the names of thousands of Irish soldiers who have no known grave. There also exists in Thiepval, France, a monument called the Ulster Tower dedicated to the men who died in the Battle of the Somme. It is estimated that currently, more than 4,000 Irish citizens are serving in the British forces. Recruits have increased dramatically since the Good Friday peace deal and are now at their highest level since World War Two. Respects.
Patrick Sullivan was a relative of the Allinson’s of Swainby rd, would Pauline Elsworth please tell me again what was Biddy’s connection to Patrick.
All the best to all Derek
P Jordan on the memorial is my uncle who was killed in France in 1914, his name is on the ploegstreet memorial in Belgium.
Wow it was a long time ago when I submitted this photo so thanks team for putting it on, i metioned 2 Casey’s on the memorial stone, lads lost during the great war, are they any relatives of the John Casey around, I would love to know if he was a relative of mine. The J W McIntosh I mentioned on the Pieta memorial stone served with the DLI, he was killed in the 1st weeks of the war breaking out. I spoke of the Irish names on the memorial stone I’m sure many of these lads were born in Stockton, but many would have had parents or grandparents straight from Ireland who settled in Stockton on Tees.
I would love to speak to any one who’s surname is Casey/Comaskey/Murphy/McIntosh.
All the best Derek
Hi all, could some one please help me solve a mystery here, its connected to the above in some way, my grandfather Robert Casey served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderes 1912-18, he grew up in the Housewife lane area of Stockton, just a few doors down from where grandad lived was a Catherine Sullivan, she had a son called Patrick. I was told 2 years ago that Patrick Sullivan was my grandad Robert’s best mate, it seems Patrick joined the K.O.S.B first followed by grandad Robert in 1912. I was told a photograph of my grandad Robert & Patrick hung in Biddy Hugh’s house, taken in their uniforms before the out-break of the Great War.
My grandad was with 3rd battalion special reserve, he was sent to join the 2nd battalion in France four weeks after the BEF landed. I don’t know if Patrick was with my grandad at this time, my grandad ended up back at the depot hospital, then was sent to join the 1st battalion in Gallipoli and was there until campaign ended in January 1916. He was then sent back to France for the Somme offensive. My grandad fell very badly wounded on the 1st day of battle 1st July 1916,I know Patrick Sullivan was with my grandad at this time as he (Patrick Sullivan) was killed in action just a few days later.
Talking to an old Swainby rd friend of mine a day or two ago he told me his grandad who also lived in Swainby rd was called Patrick Sullivan, the strange thing is that this Patrick lived at same address as my grandad’s best mate – also this Patrick was alive and well long after the Great War ended and living at the botton end of Swainby rd.
My old friend is the youngest member of the Alinson family, Micky, his brothers are Kenny, Tommy, Billy, Allan, John, & Micky, their mother was Flory Alinson. I just cant understand how 2 Patrick Sullivan’s lived at the same address, one would die on the western front { France } the other was my old friend’s grandad, can any one help with this mystery?
We owe a great deal to these young lads of Stockton who fought and died in both wars.
All the best Derek
Just had a walk down to St Mary’s church Stockton and on side panel of memorial stone is Patrick Sullivan’s name, Pat was killed 28th September 1916 on the Somme aged 22 yrs, now know this Patrick Sullivan is the great grandfather of the Swainby rd Alinson’s, Patrick Sullivan’s war records were destroyed during the bombing of WW11.
All the best to all Derek
My grandad, Frank Murphy, was born in Stockton. His brother Patrick died in the battle of the Somme on 29th August 1916 at Deliville Wood. He was in the rifle brigade.
The father of a girlfriend of mine ran the Delville Wood memorial.