West Hartlepool

Read and share memories of West Hartlepool and County Durham inspired by Frith photos

W. Hartlepool WW1

My father, Maurice Arthur (1902-1982), was the son of the GP, W. B. Arthur, in Wingate. He kept a daily diary from 1917 to 1982. There are many entries regarding Hartlepool, WW1 and the Durham Minefields. However, in 1918 he states (040218) "Hartlepool Tank gets £803,421". Then on 090218 he states, "Tank No 130, total to 4 pm. £2,200,000". And there are other references.
These refer to a lot of money in those days. Were they some kind of War Effort? I wonder if any local historian can tell me what these "tanks" were?
roland@rebarthur.f9.co.uk
Contributed by Roland Arthur

Chisholm Cottage

My great-great-great grandparents lived opposite Wesley Chapel in the late 1800s, behind the trees on the right-hand-side of the 1901 Wesley Chapel photo.

During the 1830s, Richard JACK (b1813) and some of his brothers moved to Hartlepool from Dalkeith Scotland. In 1841 Richard lived in Northgate Street, with his brothers nearby - they were coal trimmers. Richard lived with the WALTONs from Hexham, Northumberland; Thomas WALTON a Mason by trade; son William WALTON, a Joiner. Richard married Thomas' daughter Margaret WALTON (b1819).

In 1851 Richard and family were on their own in Northgate Street.

Richard JACK and two sons (Samuel and William Chisholm) were not found in ...read more here
Contributed by Vivienne Hooper

Memorial to South African War

I need your help. The man who modeled for the statue seen in this photo is my grandfather. Unfortunately, the museum has the wrong man as the model, a relative with a close name who wasn't even born when the statue was made. Is it possible for you to get the original newspaper article stating who dedicated the statue as I believe that person was my grandmother. The model's name was Joseph Andrew Bright McClure and he worked for the stonemason who did the statue. I have the paperwork to prove it. The statue was vandalized and the bronze taken and only the boots remained for many years. Now only the cairn remains. ...read more here
Contributed by Diane Fulton

W. Hartlepool WW1

My father, Maurice Arthur (1902-1982), was the son of the GP, W. B. Arthur, in Wingate. He kept a daily diary from 1917 to 1982. There are many entries regarding Hartlepool, WW1 and the Durham Minefields. However, in 1918 he states (040218) "Hartlepool Tank gets £803,421". Then on 090218 he states, "Tank No 130, total to 4 pm. £2,200,000". And there are other references.
These refer to a lot of money in those days. Were they some kind of War Effort? I wonder if any local historian can tell me what these "tanks" were?
roland@rebarthur.f9.co.uk
A memory of West Hartlepool contributed by Roland Arthur