Finding out more info about the Purdy Brothers from Spennymore Durham in WW1

[bazlynda]

And yes, I have confirmed the Charles Randall listed as NOK is the brother of his grandmother Ann Randall.

[jim1]

So his Greatuncle.
Strange he would list him as NOK & not his Grandfather/mother
as they would have been closer related.
I'm assuming they were still alive in 1895.

[bazlynda]

Charles Randall died in 1901.
I still can't locate a Hannah Dixon.

[jim1]

Her address was given as 3 Foster Terrace Crosdale Sunderland.
Probably should be Croxdale.
Henry & Ann Oxbrough were living there in 1891 & 1901.

[bazlynda]

So I've checked the census of 1881/1891/1901 for the address given.
And as you pointed out, Henry and Ann Oxborough were living at Foster Terrace Crosdale Sunderland.
I checked all the surrounding streets and addresses and there was no Hannah Dixon.
I thought she might be a matriarch or something.
So I am thinking now that maybe Ann Oxborough was Hannah Dixon???
It was his Grandmother and no-one else lived at that address in any census

[jim1]

I'm more convinced that he was trying to hide himself.
Wanting to avoid using the Purdy or Oxbrough names
He's first put Charles Randall as his NOK but dying left
him with a problem so made up the name Hannah Dixon
as that was the surname he used but gave Ann Oxbrough's
address.
When he got married as Oxbrough he would have had to notify the Army
& that's when his record changed to that name.
He probably thought he was in the clear by then.
Sounds like a good story anyway.

[stevej60]

Worth checking out the excellent North East War Memorials project website,you can search by name or town.Cornforth includes a photo of Toms original grave before the standard stone was erected.He&
Wilfred are named on the village and church memorials in the village.They are both on the memorial for Coxhoe  village council school old boys.