Genealogy Chat

I think I have discovered why he called himself Thomas Johnson when he enlisted.

His mother appears to have remarried to a James Johnson and he must have decide to use that name.

this is them in 1901:
Name: James Johnson
Age: 47
Estimated birth year: abt 1854
Relation: Head
Spouse's name: Susannah
Gender: Male
Where born: Sunderland, Durham, England

Civil parish: Gateshead
Ecclesiastical parish: Venerable Bede
County/Island: Durham
Country: England

Street Address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View image

Registration district: Gateshead
Sub-registration district: Gateshead
ED, institution, or vessel: 60
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 112
Household Members: Name Age
James Johnson 47
Susannah Johnson 40
Elizabeth Craddock 79 (grandmother)
John James Martin 17
>>>Thomas Martin 17 Railway engine cleaner
Mary Johnson 15
Susannah Johnson 12
James Johnson 10
Arin Johnson 7
Isabella Johnson 3
Elizabeth Johnson 1 Mo

Ronald I had a look at the record. Thomas was in the DLI from 1902 till 1905 and then on Reserve till 1914 , so not on active service for the last 9 years which explains why he was with his in-laws in 1911 (but not why he enlisted in another name)

Did you know your grandfather? The record shows he had a snake and flowers tattoo on his lt forearm..

He was probably called up again for WW1 but no records seem to have survived (many were destroyed during the blitz in WW2). There are 4 Medal Cards for a Thomas Martin in the DLI but none indicate which was actually him, sorry.

Jennifer

I am intrigued now as this appears to be Thomas C Martin in 1911 with wife Margaret J and son Thomas William, names correspond to those given in Army Records.
his is with in-laws
1911 census transcription details for: 91 Fleming Street Gateshead

National Archive Reference:

RG14PN30412 RG78PN1748A RD557 SD2 ED2 SN58


Reg. District: Gateshead Sub District: Gateshead
Parish: Gateshead Enum. District: 2

Address: 91 Fleming Street Gateshead
County: Durham


Name Relation Condition/
Yrs married Sex Age Birth
Year Occupation Where Born

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOMPSON, Matthew Father Married M 57 1854 General Labourer Gateshead County Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOMPSON, Esther Mother Married F 49 1862 Gateshead Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOMPSON, Martha Daughter Single F 15 1896 Gateshead Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOMPSON, Ethel Daughter Single F 8 1903 School Gateshead Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THOMPSON, Matthew Son Single M 12 1899 School Gateshead Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>MARTIN, Thomas C Son In Law Married M 27 1884 Porter Railway Pass Sunderland County Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>MARTIN, Margaret J Daughter Married F 22 1889 Gateshead Durham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>MARTIN, Thomas W Son Single M 3 1908 Gateshead Durham

He served till 9 3 1914
gives father as James Johnson of 123 ???? St Gateshead
wife Margaret Jane Thompson married Gateshead 18 1 1908 witnesses James and Mary Thompson
Child Thomas William baptised 26 4 1908 at St Paul's Gateshead.

there is a note 8 1 1909 acknowledging receipt of communication re change of name

It is quite interesting there is a Declaration at the end from Thomas Craddock Martin saying he was enlisted under the name of Thomas Johnson 10/3/1902 and now declares to be incorrect and offers a birth cert as proof of his real name

jennifer

British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920
Name: Thomas Craddock Martin
[Thomas Johnson]
Estimated birth year: abt 1884
Age at Enlistment: 18
Birth Parish: St Johns
Birth County: Durham
Document Year: 1902
Regimental Number: 7811
Number of Images: 10



Source Information:

Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007

there are some records for a Thomas Johnson alias Thomas Craddock Martin DLI age 18 in 1902

my grandfather thomas craddock martin served in the DLI and was in numerous campaigns during WW1.He survived and returned to gateshead where he lived with his family.
I am told I need his army number to proceed further but I don't know how to get this information can anyone help?
ron f