Great Grandfather died in WW1 im starting to think not

[groom]

It is possible that if he left the family, rather than died before 1911, he changed his name and is buried under that name, as that is how anyone new would have known him. Also we aren't dealing with a particularly rare name, and he could have gone anywhere in the country and died at anytime between 1906 and 1950 ish.

[DavyTee68]

Side note
My father must have really believed the story of WW1 as he went to visit the Menin Gate in Ypres to look at the inscription of who he thought was his grandfather
It wasn't though as that was a totally different solider. My father died though before I could tell him.

[DavyTee68]

It is possible that if he left the family, rather than died before 1911, he changed his name and is buried under that name, as that is how anyone new would have known him. Also we aren't dealing with a particularly rare name, and he could have gone anywhere in the country and died at anytime between 1906 and 1950 ish.

Indeed Groom I think his story has died with him unfortunately

[groom]

Side note
My father must have really believed the story of WW1 as he went to visit the Menin Gate in Ypres to look at the inscription of who he thought was his grandfather
It wasn't though as that was a totally different solider. My father died though before I could tell him.

Perhaps it is just as well. I think a lot of our ancestors had secrets that they took to their graves, never dreaming that a hundred or so years later their descendants would be able to discover it, or at least query it.   

[DavyTee68]

Just been talking to my mother and she's added that my grandfather said he was apprenticed to be a butcher but as his father died he had to go down the mines to keep the house
Perhaps they had moved to a smaller dwelling by 1915

[JenB]

There's a William Turner in Tanfield 1903 which is where Hill Top Colliery was

According to Durham Mining Museum, Hill Top Colliery was in Langley Park: http://www.dmm.org.uk/colliery/h010.htm

Or Esh
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01l5h/

Either way it's a good 10 miles from Tanfield.

There was a place in Tanfield Parish called Hill Top, but don't see a colliery there 
https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/416119/554572/10/101063 (you might have to zoom out a bit to get the map)
Coincidentally  only a couple of miles from Tantobie where the 'other' William Turner was when he died.

[DavyTee68]

I'll order John George and Emma Birth certs then at least I'll know where they were living 1906-1907

[Jomot]

I wonder if rather than Hill Top Colliery it was Hill Top, Collierley.

[JenB]

I wonder if rather than Hill Top Colliery it was Hill Top, Collierley.

Ah yes, a strong likelihood I should think! Hill Top was certainly  in the Parish of Collierley in 1901. Collierley was in Tanfield sub-district.