Alfred Stafford WW1 1929 - Battlefield Tour - A Refreshment Break in France

Another photograph of Alfred Stafford and his comrades in France. Here we see them taking a refreshment break which distinctly looks like a bottle of French Beer.

You have three guesses as to who the miner is in this photograph.  Grandpa has taken up the typical pitman's posture, he is on his 'hunkers.'  -  "sitting with the balls of the feet upon the ground and the knees bent, so that the thighs rest on the calves of the legs.  This was habitual to pitmen from the nature of their underground work, and the conditions under which it was performed."

1929 Alfred and Comrades taking a welcome refreshment break

Alfred Stafford WW1 1929 - Battlefield Tour - Arras

1929 Alfred Stafford with his comrades with the Mayoress of Arras

1929 Restored Alfred Stafford with his comrades with the the Mayoress Arras

1929 Alfred Stafford with Mayoress of Arras

1929 Alfred and Colleagues Chemin De Fer Du Nord Arras 

I wonder what discussions these three comrades had when they met up again in 1929. They were bound together by privation and physical wretchedness.  They lived knee deep in oozing stinking trenches with no comfort and the impossibility of getting their clothes dried or body clean. His son Norman (my dad) said Alfred "never got over the war."

When they returned home, it soon became apparent that their prospects were not good.  There was little help in terms of housing, pensions and welfare, despite politicians promising that they were returning to 'a land fit for heroes.'

Alfred was still living in Rose Terrace in the 1920s, which is confirmed by the '192?' at the top of an invoice found in Aunt Eleanor's house. At this time Alfred was making a living running a carting, general dealer and 'pony and trap for hire' business; more than likely because he was no longer able to return to his job as a miner. My dad told me many lovely affectionate stories about the horses they had, but I can't remember him telling me they were used for his dad's carting business.

Alfred Stafford WW1 - Photograph of 21st American Hospital Paignton Devon and paperwork of pensions appeal tribunal

Alfred Stafford First Row Second Left wearing Cap - 21 American Hospital Paignton Devon 1918

Restored Alfred Stafford 2nd Left with Cap - 21 American Hospital Paignton Devon 1918

I was very emtional when I first read these documents as I knew nothing about what happened to my Grandpa during WW1. There were tears, but, my tears turned to hostility at the way my Grandpa was treated by the 'Establishment'. Their cruel insensitivity and crassness knew no bounds. Note throughout the report he is addressed as "the man". A man, who was one of millions who went into hell and by a qwirk of fate came back, and this was the thanks they got. Shame on them all.

Dr Perring was our family doctor, and for years cared for us all. He must have had a huge social conscience to work amongst pitmen and their families. I am sure Alfred was eternally grateful to him for accompanying and testifying on his behalf at this iron-fisted and oppressive hearing.

In 2018 Mick Hardy gave me the following information - your grandfather was admitted to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station on 3rd July,1916 (Battle of the Somme) with gunshot wounds to his right arm.  He was transferred to Sick Convoy on the 5th July 1916 (sent back for treatment).  317, 4th Batallion Northumberland - Fusiliers B Company. 

Alfred Stafford - WW1

I believe this photograph of Alfred Stafford was taken just before 23rd November 1914 when he would have completed his three months of basic training.  The aim of which was to build up physical fitness and confidence, to instill discipline and obedience and teach basic military skills to be able to function in the army. 

Alfred had gone back to the same photographic studio to have his photograph taken where he and his young son Norman were photographed - photographers would be very busy taking this type of photograph. 

Alfred with his 3 year old son Norman

This photograph shows that Alfred had been promoted to Corporal.

Corporal Alfred Stafford 1914 

Corporal Alfred Stafford 1914 Restored

The following touching profile of my Grandpa Alfred Stafford was written in 2016 by local historian, Mick Hardy, who believed it was important not only to keep alive the memory of those who were casualties of war, but also to remember local people who returned. My thanks to Mick. 

"Our first Greenside hero to be mentioned, Sergeant Alfred Stafford, who served with the 23rd (Service Battalion) Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish). Alfred was the son of John and Margaret Stafford, husband of Margaret James Ramsey Hood of 6 Rose Terrace, Greenside. Children: Albert Henderson Stafford, who was to become an undertaker for the Co-operative Store. Barbara Stafford who was to become a nanny to the children of a French noble family.  She managed to escape France before the German occupation forces arrived during World War Two. Norman Stafford, who was to become a Venture bus driver, and Eleanor Stafford (Eleanor never married). Having previously worked and lived in Winlaton, Alfred, and his family moved to the Folly area of Greenside, where he eventually became a miner (deputy overman) at Greenside Colliery.  

He entered the theatre of war in France, on 9th January,1916.  Alfred was wounded on 1st July, 1916 (first day Battle of the Somme) suffering gunshot wounds to his right shoulder. Alfred, like so many of the 'Tyneside Scots,' lay in the open of 'no man's land with the dead and wounded for thirty six hours. He was eventually found and evacuated back to the UK on the 6th July, 1916, for treatment in hospital. After spending another period in hospital in December, of 1916, Alfred returned to active service in France. Alfred again suffered gunshot wounds, this time to the right leg and left thigh, he was admitted to hospital for treatment on 23rd March 1918. Alfred was evacuated back to hospital for treatment on the 27th March 1918, where he was admitted for further treatment. He also suffered from a bout of Pleurisy, and received treatment until 6th September 1918. Alfred was admitted to the 21st American War Hospital, Paignton, Devon, on the 10th September, 1918.  Alfred was medically examined, and was discharged from service on 6th November 1918, as being no longer physically fit for war service on 6th November 1918, as being no longer physically fit for war service. After his discharge from the Army, Alfred suffered from Bronchitis and the effects of war wounds (the Bronchitis was attributed to him lying in the open for thirty six hours).  In 1923, at the age of forty two years, Alfred took his case to the pensions appeal tribunal.  Dr R J Perring (the family GP) supported Alfred's claim. Alfred never returned to his former occupation as a miner because of his war wounds.

In 1929 Alfred, with his comrades, returned to the battlefields and trenches of Arras, on the Western Front, France, where he was photographed in the company of the Mayoress of Arras.  He also visited the preserved trenches at 'Vimy Ridge' (where the Canadian Corps took the ridge in 1917). Alfred died at his home in Greenside on 13th June, 1947, aged sixty seven years. A true loal hero.

Sincere thanks to Alfred's grand-daughter, Pauline Tweddell, (nee Stafford) for supplying me with the information and allowing me to post this tribute."


When sifting through Aunt Eleanor's 'stuff' we found beautiful, and still surprisingly vibrant embroidered cards made by French and Belgium women that my Grandpa sent to his eldest son Albert "to Albert from father" - Albert was probably collecting them. 

When I blew up the first card I could see something behind the gauze - it was a little card, the gauze was a little pocket.  Because they have been protected these little cards are in pristine condition. However, collectors would not be interested in them as they are soiled, because they are from a coal burning house - for me this is part of their wonderful history.

This card was sent to Alfred's son Norman, who would be about 5 years old.  It has a picture of Lord Kitchener, inset with French wording - roughly translated  is European War 1914-18 a miniature of the English Lord Kitchener" and on the back "To Norman from Father". These cards were bought by a pitman soldier, who took time out to send them to his sons. 

The final card is a Birthday Card sent to Albert  from his cousin Will Hood - I don't know if Will survived the war, but how kind of him to send Albert such a lovely card with such sentiment.

Postcard from Cousin Will Hood

For me the wording on this postcard is heartbreaking, even experiencing the terror and stripping of inhumanity created by this terrible war, all Alfred wanted was to try and keep his family safe and to send his love to his wife and children.

Postcard to Barbara

"21-10-15    Dear Barbara,  I have not time to write a letter tonight, so I just send you this and thank you for your kind letter to me and I hope you and mother and all are keeping well.  I got the parcel last night at bed time, and tell mother I send my best thanks, but I would like to know if she got the postal order and if Albert got the Puttees and knife. Give my my love to all and kiss E & N (Eleanor and Norman) for me.  I will say goodnight from father."

Margaret and Alfred's Children - Eleanor Frances Stafford b 1912-2005

The youngest child, Eleanor Frances Stafford was born at 6 Rose Terrace Folly Greenside on the 16th September 1912.   Some time later the family moved to 16 Milton Street Greenside, where she continued to live until she died at the age of 92.  

16 Milton Street Greenside 2005

It is thanks to Eleanor's sentimentality (a trait I have inherited) that she has kept so much family memorabilia.

My dad told me pre WW2 she was engaged; her fiance went off to war, but sadly on his return, informed her he had found someone else.  Eleanor never married, and his name was never disclosed. 

There were no baby or studio pictures of Eleanor but here is a photograph of a young Eleanor

 Two photographs showing Eleanor as a very attractive young woman.

Eleanor Original Circa 1930

Eleanor Stafford Restored

Eleanor Stafford Original circa 1935

Eleanor Restored

Eleanor was the archetypal 'good spinster daughter', she remained at home, taking care of her mother in her old age. Initially she worked as a Dinner Lady at Greenside School, and later worked in Newcastle upon Tyne for the big Department Store Fenwicks Ltd  in one of their cafe's, she enjoyed the company of the other girls, and even went to Spain on holiday with them. 

Fenwick Flag Ship Department Store

Newcastle upon Tyne

Circa late 1960s

Eleanor second right on holiday in Spain with work colleagues

Moving on to 1979 here is a photograph of Eleanor at the age of 67 (blue jumper) with her sister Barbara aged 75, (back left) left front brother Norman my dad aged 69, me Pauline Tweddell holding Elise age33,  Jean (my mam) aged 62, 

1979

1st Birthday Elise Tweddell

at 14 Haven Hill Craster

1979 

Whinstone House - 14 Haven Hill, Craster 

Craster Harbour

Margaret and Alfred's Children - Norman Stafford b 1910-1991

This photograph is a studio photograph taken (in 1914 at the beginning of WW1) of Alfred with his three year old son Norman Stafford (my dad).  

I was informed that photographers, at this time, supplied children's uniforms, in order to take this undoubtedly popular type of photograph. Must admit photographer's were good business men.  Doesn't my dad look cute?  I love this photograph

Norman and his Father Alfred Original

Norman and his Father Alfred Restored

We now move forward about 18 years circa 1930/31. I think this studio photograph was taken to celebrate Norman's coming of age at 21. How suave he is with the cigarette, probably emulating film stars of the time. Note the cigarette was not lit. I remember my dad was a heavy smoker, until he got a really bad cough.  He resolved to stop (he must have been in his 30s), and he never smoked again.  Well done Norman!

Norman Stafford Restored

Like his brother Albert, Norman was a handsome young man.  He was born with two displaced hips. (Displaisia of the Hips). In those days there was very little that could be done, so Norman, when he got older, walked with a distinct limp. This did not impede him in any way. As a young man he was a chauffeur, he started a lorry business, but his partner disappeared with all the money, so Norman returned to Bus Driving. He finally retired after working 25 years for the Venture Bus Company in 1974. 






Norman loved driving and loved cars, he spent most of his retirement fixing his split windscreen Morris Minor and growing vegetables in his allotment.  He also fixed anyone else's car around the doors.  He was very popular as he fixed their cars for nothing. 

Here is my mother drinking her tea with Bessie Redman and her husband Alf having a picnic, my sister Dorothy at the back.  My dad bought the split windscreen Morris Minor from Alf Redman. I learned to drive in this car.  Note it had trafficators. It also had red leather seats.

  

 When we were children, my sister and I had many great days out accompanying Norman on bus trips, going to the bus depot at High Spen and "getting the best seat in the house" in the front of the bus beside our lovely gentle dad.

Alfred and Margaret's Children Barbara Stafford b 1904-1997.

Barbara Stafford 

Barbara was the second born, first daughter, of Alfred and Margaret Stafford. Unfortunately I don't have a baby photograph of Barbara. The earliest photograph I found was a really tiny, print on flimsy paper that was torn half way down, measuring 1 inch x 1 and three-quarter inches.  It is quite difficult to guess how old Barbara is in this picture as it shows what appears to be a very confident young lady. 

Barbara could be around 13 years old which would mean she would know her daddy (Alfred Stafford) had been seriously wounded twice in France in WW1, or, he may have just returned home, discharged because of the wounds he received. Therefore, this confidence could be mistaken, for a young girl having to grow up very quickly; seeing her mother hard pressed to support the family financially, and Barbara, as the eldest girl would have had to help in the home with her younger brother and sister. Life would have been hard for them all with the traumatic affects this terrible war caused.

Barbara original circa 1914

Barbara could be around 13 years old which would mean she would know her daddy (Alfred Stafford) had been seriously wounded twice in France in WW1, or, he may have just returned home, discharged because of the wounds he received. Therefore, this confidence could be mistaken, for a young girl having to grow up very quickly; seeing her mother hard pressed to support the family financially, and Barbara, as the eldest girl would have had to help in the home with her younger brother and sister. Life would have been hard for them all with the traumatic affects this terrible war caused.

Barbara Original

Barbara Restored with Sepia

Barbara Restored Less Sepia

Moving forward a few years around 1928 we have another studio photograph of a rather beautiful mature young woman.  Who says women in glasses aren't attractive; here Barbara is wearing pince-nez.

The 1929 "The Wall Street Crash"  was just around the corner, which devalued the £ leading to even more unemployment, which was endemic in the North East of England at this time. So this strong ambitious pit village lass scraped enough money together, (probably borrowing from family members), and enrolled on a Nanny training course in Sheffield, and what a story/experience that turned out to be.