Sunderland Blitz 14/15 March 1943

[carolmc]

Hi St.thomas Church, John street Sunderland was destroyed  and the vicar was killed. Does anyone know his name please? Major bombing occured with 17 killed 31 seriously injured 17 premises totally demolished. My father and his landlady were buried alive and dug themselves out (Nora Street) Any info about the vicar would be gratefully recieved, regards carolmc

[River Tyne Lass]

Rev. James Fraser Leyland Orton

[carolmc]

Gosh that was quick! Thank you rootschat, regards carolmc

[osprey]

there's a newspaper report dated 15 March 1943 about the sudden death of Rev. James Fraser Leyland Orton, vicar of St Thomas's Church Sunderland, but no suggestion that he died as a result of the blitz.
There's another report from the following day which mentions that the deaths in Sunderland included 'a vicar who was buried under the debris of his church, where he was fire-watching'.
Could be that the cause of his death was censored. 

Sorry I'd typed this when I got red post, but thought it interesting.

[River Tyne Lass]

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58226384/james-fraser_leyland-orton

You are welcome.
Someone has added him to Find a Grave.

The John Bull newspaper on British Newspaper archive records that he was killed by blast from a heavy bomb.

Just to add I am so glad your Father and his landlady were able to rescue themselves.  What a narrow escape!  They must have been in such a state of shock.

[Tickettyboo]

WW2 civilian war dead are commemorated om the CWGC website (NB I don't know if anyone was missed from the database)
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/3104337/james-fraser-orton/

Boo

[carolmc]

Many thanks to all the rootschat replies. The vicars name has led me to find some photos. Regards carolmc  TOPIC CLOSED

[Radcliff]

St Thomas Ardwick,
Jabez William Orton,
born 17th June 1848,
baptised 1st July 1849,
father Samuel a paper stainer, mother Suzanne
abode Ardwick,
===============
St Saviour Chorlton,Lancashire,
30th October 1877,
Jabez William Orton, Clerk in Holy orders, Bachelor of Fleetwood,
Sarah Ann Leyland aged 24,spinster of 12 Weymouth St,
Grooms father Samuel Orton, paper stainer,
brides father Thomas Fisher Leyland, grocer,
witness Thomas Leyland, Marion Bateman and Stephen Alan Sumner,
===========================================
Siblings,
Leigh Leyland Orton baptised St Peter Fleetwood, 10th November 1878
============================================
Douglas Catterall Leyland Orton, baptised St Mary Olham, 20th March 1881,
===============================================
fathers second marriage,
St Matthews Chadderton Lancashire,
25th April 1888,
Jabez William Orton,Full age  widower , clerk in the Holy Orders,St Stephens Vicarage Oldham,
Mary Sophia Taylor,full age spinster, of Chadderton Cottage,
Grooms father Samuel Orton, paper stainer,
Brides father Thomas Taylor ,Gentleman,
witnesses to marriage, Thomas Taylor, Sarah Elizabeth Mannock, Sarah Elizabeth Watson, L.L. Orton, D.C.L Orton