Person

Joseph Moody was born in Lumley on 9 March 1891. His father was Thomas Moody, a coal miner who was born in Bournmoor in 1855. His mother was Christiana Moody nee Smith (1856-1894) who was born in Scotland. Joseph’s parents married on 16 August 1873 and had six known children giving Joseph three brothers and two sisters. One of his brothers, named Robert, died in infancy. In 1891 the Moody family lived at 13 Pottery Row, Great Lumley. Joseph’s mother Christiana died in 1894 and his father remarried around 1901. At the time of the 1901 census, Joseph was living with his father, new step mother Ann and his two older brothers at Middle Chare, Chester-le-Street.

Joseph married Catherine Haddleton in 1909. She was a coal miner’s daughter from Spennymoor. At the time of the 1911 census the couple were living at 32 North Burns, Chester-le-Street. Two sons had been born during their marriage to that date. Thomas was working as a putter in a local coal mine in 1911.

Joseph attested in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI). He was given the service number 1671 and served in the 1st/8th Battalion DLI along with his two brothers George and Thomas. He entered the theatre of war on 12 October 1915. By that time his brother George had been killed in action at Boetleer’s Farm, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium and his brother Thomas taken prisoner of war (POW) in the same battle. At some point Joseph was transferred to the 1st/6th DLI and given the new service number 270017.

War Office Daily List number 5630 of 29 July 1918 reported Joseph wounded and missing. However, the Chester-le-Street Chronicle from 23rd August 1918 reported Joseph’s wife had received notification stating Joseph was “not wounded and quite well.” He had instead been taken as a prisoner of war. The full article from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle is attached below. Joseph was repatriated and arrived in Dover on 22 November 1918 after which he returned to County Durham to rejoin his family. Joseph and his wife Catherine had a further son born in the same year.

Catherine died in 1921 and in 1933 Joseph married Isabella Clarkson (b 1895). At the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register the Moody family were living in Second Street, Chester-le-Street and Joseph was working as a coal-cutter operator. Joseph died on 31 January 1952 and is buried in Sacriston Cemetery.

Joseph Moody was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Chester le Street

Birth date: 09-Mar-1891

Death date: 31-Jan-1952

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 13 Pottery Row, Great Lumley (1891 census)
Middle Chare, Chester le Street (1901 census)
32 North burns, Chester-le-Street (1911 census)
Second Street, Chester-le-Street (1939 England and Wales Register)

Employment: Coal miner – putter (1911 census)
Coal-cutter operator (1939 England and Wales Register)

Family: Parents: Thomas Moody (b 1855), Christiana Moody nee Smith (1864-1894)
Siblings: Katherine Jane Moody (b 1877), Elizabeth Moody (b 1878), Robert Moody (1881-1881), George Moody (b 1886), Thomas Moody (b 1888)
Spouse: 1) Catherine Moody nee Haddleston (1891-1921), 2) Isabella Moody nee Clarkson (b 1895)
Children: Thomas Moody (b 1909), George Moody (b 1911), Joseph Moody (b 1918)

Military service:

Durham Light Infantry
1st/8th Battalion
1671
Private
Durham Light Infantry
1st/6th Battalion
270017
Private

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham