Grandma at Rest in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, England

© 2002-2009 All Rights Reserved

It may be of interest to record that my maternal grandmother and grandmother of perhaps thirty or more other grandchildren, is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Ushaw Moor, County Durham. See the attached photograph of her grave and headstone. The inscription on the headstone reads as follows:

Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Ann Atkinson
who died 20th July 1946. Aged 69 years.

My grandmother, of 10 Dale Street, Ushaw Moor, died of heart failure (it is assumed) at her sister Mary's residence in Durham City shortly after, or before, the Miners Gala in July 1946. Grandma was brought back to Ushaw Moor (it is assumed) for a church service and then burial.

In the second week of September 2009 my wife, Margaret, and I, found grandma's grave after making substantial enquiries. These had led us to the Catholic cemetery in Ushaw Moor. At the cemetery we placed flowers on the grave and left a small card by the headstone. The card contained a short dedication to my grandmother on behalf of her grandchildren and also on behalf of my mother, the late Ann Addyman, nee Banks (1904-2001), one of the three daughters and six sons of the above deceased (see later note). Earlier in the day Margaret and I attended Mass at nearby St Joseph`s Church in Ushaw Moor. Before that we had made very pleasant visits to cousins in County Durham whose warm welcome and hospitality, typical of Durham people, were much appreciated.

Prior to visiting the Catholic cemetery at Ushaw Moor, we visited the Municipal Cemetery in Ushaw Moor. There we found the grave of relatives, or step relatives, of Tom Atkinson (also known as Tom Nicholl for reasons not presently understood). Tom was grandma's second husband who she married in the mid 1930s. See the attached photograph. Her first husband and the father of my mother and her brothers and sisters had died some years previously.

I recall staying with my grandma and step-grandpa Atkinson (Nicholl) in Ushaw Moor when I was 10 years old in 1940. I also recall staying with my Aunt Mary Elizabeth (also known as Mary Lizzie) and her family at Page Bank, near Spennymore, at round about the same time. They were thrilling times for me and I have happy memories of them. My grandma came to stay with us in Leeds for a short time during the Second World War. The north east of England was then being subjected to heavy bombing from German aircraft and my grandma came to us for respite from the air raids. Leeds was being less bombed and was considered a safe city.

When my grandmother died in 1946 my father (Alfred Addyman 1902-1990) was serving in the army in Scotland where he was guarding German prisoners of war who were waiting to be repatriated home. Prior to that he saw active service in France and Germany. I recall my mother sending me to the local police station in Leeds for them to make the necessary arrangements for my father's unit to be informed that my father's mother-in-law had died. I am fairly certain that he was given leave to attend the funeral.

It was a consolation for me to find grandma Atkinson's grave after looking for it off and on over many years and I most grateful for the information received from my Durham cousins and other persons.

In St Joseph's we noticed the appeal for funds to help maintain the cemetery. My wife and I were pleased to make a small contribution to the fund.

Photograph of grandmother's grave and headstone in the Catholic cemetery at Ushaw Moor, County Durham
Photograph taken by RA in September 2009

Wedding photograph c1936 of my grandmother, (previously Ann Banks) and Tom Atkinson (also known as Tom Nicholl)

The location is St Cuthbert's Church, Old Elvet, Durham. To my grandmother's right is her youngest son, Harry, smartly turned out in the uniform of the Durham Light Infantry. The lady behind my grandmother is likely to be her sister, Mary. The lady and gentleman on my step-grandfather's left are likely to be a sister of Tom and a son from a previous marriage. The priest in the scene is Father Marr who married them.

The photograph was kindly supplied by Ellen Millmore (nee Burke), a grand-daughter of grandma and daughter of grandma's eldest daughter, Mary Elizabeth. My mother, Ann, was grandma's second daughter and Aunt Suzie, of Pity Me, was grandma's third daughter. Grandma's sons were, Tom, Jack, Joe, Philip, Harry (not necessarily in age order. Names also may have been abbreviated). There was also a son who drowned in a river accident in Durham.