Joseph and Alice’s first child was a daughter Elsie Alice; she was born in 1893. The family were still living in Ponteland but it has not been possible to find out exactly where.
By the time of the 1901 Census the family were all living at 11 Heworth Within, Gateshead. This address no longer exists but we know it was in the Parish of Windy Nook, St. Alban.
Joseph Junior (aged 17) was in the Territorial Army and when war was declared in 1914 - he volunteered for service. Joseph was in the East Lancashire Territorial Army Battalion. Joseph survived the war; his only physical injury was a piece of shrapnel in his eye however he suffered greatly for the rest of his life with post-traumatic stress.
When he returned he met Margaret Tweddell (born on 22nd October 1901 in Newburn, Northumberland). Margaret was the daughter of Anthony Tweddell (Foreman at Throckley Brickworks) and Elizabeth nee Simpson. Joseph and Margaret were married in Heddon on the Wall on 11th October 1925 and had three children, Delia and twins, Irene and Henry. Joseph and Margaret lived for a short time in Throckley and then Military Road, Heddon on the Wall. After the war, Joseph ran the family building business in Heddon on the Wall until his retirement. Joseph died in 1972 aged 76.
Henry’s body was exhumed and re-buried on 7th August 1919 in Plot IX.I.7, Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz. Map reference: 57c.S.14.c.5.3 Stone No.1285. This we can confirm is Henry’s final resting place.
We will remember them.
Henry Murray
Helen Murray-Holmes
November 2014
My grandmother (Alice) known as Nana; wished that when I was christened that I be named Henry in memory of her lost son. Uncle Henry like me was called Harry so I have a close affinity with him. My Nana shared many hours talking about him with me. Perhaps in some way I made up for the loss of Harry. Over the years my Nana and I became very close, sharing moments of sadness and happiness. I remember my Nana to be an avid reader, she suffered from asthma, was of small stature and shaky in her later years. My Nana died in the middle bedroom of the family home “Ingleside”, 19 Military Road, Heddon on the Wall in April/May/Jun 1941 aged 69. She was being cared for by my mother (Margaret) and my father in her final years. My grandfather Joseph senior also died at “Ingleside”, 19 Military Road, Heddon on the Wall (back bedroom) in Oct/Nov/Dec 1945 aged 76. He too was cared for by my mother (Margaret) and my father. Both of my grandparents were well read, educated (or appeared to be) and entrepreneurial business people. I was pleased to be of comfort during my grandparent’s years of grief. Unfortunately for me, I did not know my Uncle Harry which is undoubtedly my loss.
Joseph Senior and Alice believed that when the war came to an end both Joseph and Henry would continue in the family business. Joseph Junior was agreeable for Henry to go into the business with the view of one day taking over. Perhaps at this early stage Joseph Junior had doubts about this career path and had other ideas for his future.
Towards the end of the war Joseph Junior (my father) was making plans with a fellow army officer to start a new venture in the Far East opening a rubber plantation. Harry was killed and the family expected Joseph to return and join the family business which would be known as 'Joseph Murray and Son (Building Contractors)'. Reluctantly Joseph Junior abandoned his vision for a new life and returned to Heddon on the Wall and the family business.
The expectations for Henry could not be fulfilled and the family business was continued by Joseph Junior.
The Murray family was always associated with the building industry. It was a relatively successful enterprise covering a wide range of activities for example: farming, house and contract building, coach building, sign writing, French polishing, general repairs and funeral directing. I remember my grandfather conducting funeral directing - he always wore a top hat and walked behind the hearse. He had an apprentice who usually followed in his wake carrying his bag of essentials for his daily tasks. My grandfather normally wore a bowler hat and frequently a bow tie. My elder sister Delia Margaret remembers that our grandfather had twinkly blue eyes, was of average height and build. He had a moustache and smoked a pipe.
For all I never knew Uncle Harry; he often came into the conversation throughout subsequent years with my grandparents and older members of the family. People in the village of Heddon on the Wall frequently talked about Henry and described him as having a very pleasant personality; he was always kind and respectful. Henry like all the family had a great love of animals and was always willing to help others. He was a very popular young man.
I am very pleased to have been able to research as much as possible my Uncle Henry, I know that my Nana would have been grateful for the efforts made to discover the final resting place of her youngest son.
Henry Murray
December 2014