Occupoation in 1897 Mason Living at Hill Top Colliery Tanfield Lanchester Co. Durham

1876 Living at Hill Top Colliery ^Tanfield Lanchester Co. Durham

Made her Mark X on sons birth certificate so was probably illiterate

Son of William Cawthorn Harrison

Married Jessie Jackson 23rd October 1897 at Lanchester register office Co. Durham

Residence at time of marriage 71 Front St. Lintz Colliery

Occupation When Married. Puller in Colliery Age on Marriage Certificate 20yrs

1901 Living at 40 Park Terrace Swalwell Co Durham

October 1914 Enlisted and was Private 20/323 Anthony Harrison A Company 1st Tynside Scottish 2oth(Tynside Scottish) Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. He was at Alnwick camp during 1915 and left for france soon after. He was Killed in action on the 1st July 1916 in the Somme on the first day of an Offensive launched by thirteen divisions of commonwealth forceson a line north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Somme France

Pier and face 10b. 11b. & 12b. Address at the time of enlistment was living at 81 Donniston St Dunston.

At his death he left a Widow & 6 Children the eldest aged 12

Burial: Somme France

Fact 2: October 1914, Enlisted (Source: Marriage Certificate in the possetion of Sylvia Gray)

Age on Marriage certificate 18yrs.

Residence at time of marriage 72 Front St. Lintz Colliery

1901 Living at 40 Park Terrace Swalwell Co Durham

Witnesses at wedding John Nicholson and Magdalene Cawthorn Harrison

Marriage: October 23, 1897, Lanchester Register office Co. Durham

John Caisley Bisset Married Alice Harrison sister of Sylvia Harrison Wife of his brother James Budd Bisset

Present at the Death was Leticia Waide Wife of Jack Waide and Step sister of Sylvia & Alice Harrison

at 28 Kepple St the home of Jesse Harrison Nee Jackson

At his death John Caisley Bisset was an Army pensioner working as a Motor Mechanic

Cause of Death: Cathesia & Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Residence at time of marriage 65 Donnison St Dunston Co. Durham

Age on marriage certificate 20yrs

After death of James Budd Bissett Moved to London and later remarried to Jack Middleton and lived at 13 Keildon Rd. Battersea London SW11

Died 26 November in Hospital at the Grove Horton Lane Epsom Surrey of Pulminary Embolas. Bil;ateral Femoral vein Thrombosis Acute Pyelonephritis Fractured neck of right femur & senile dementia

Son John George Bissett Informant of 12 Mays Rd Teddington Middlesex

Fact 1: 1922, Living at 65 Donnison St. Dunstan

Born 11th October 1898 at Plough Terrace Haswell

Residence at time of Marriage 1 High Teams Gateshead Co Durham

Age on Marriage certificate 24yrs

Died age 33yrs Lobar Pneumonia at 1 High Teams Gateshead Brother John Caisley Bissett Present at the death

Cause of Death: Lobar Pneumonia

Fact 1: 1922, Coal Miner (Porter) (Source: Birth Certificate in possesion of Sylvia Gray)

Fact 2: 1924, Living at 69 Haig St. Whickham Co.Durham (Source: Birth certificate in possesion of Sylvia Gray)

Fact 3: 1922, Living at 1 High teams Gateshead Co. Durham (Source: Marriage certificate In possession of Sylvia Gray)

Fact 4: 1931, Died at 1 High Teams (Coal porter)

Medical Information: Certified By A Hanson MD Brother John Caisley Bissett In attendance at death

1924 Living at 59 Haig St. Dunston Co Durham

Witnesses at Marriage Jane H Bissett & Charles Linton

i

Death of one spouse: October 14, 1922, Witnesses Jane H Bissett & Charles Linton

Marriage: October 14, 1922, Christ Church Dunstan

Residence at time of marriage 34 Baker Gardens Dunstan Working at CWS

Witnesses at Marriage Margaret Linton & H Kirkbride

Fact 1: 1943, Worked for C.W.S.Dunstan

Fact 2: 1943, Lived at 34 Baker Gardens Dunstan Durham

Fact 1: 1943, Was in the Merchant Navy (Steward) (Source: Marriage Certificate in Possestion of Sylvia & M.P Gray)

Fact 2: 1943, Lived at 134 Wellington Rd Dunstan Co, Durham

Witnesses to Marriage Margaret Linton & H Kirkbride

Marriage: October 9, 1943, Christ Church Dunstan Co.Durham

Unknown-Ending: October 9, 1943, Witnesses M Linton & H Kirkbride

Michael Philip Gray born3rd May 1943 in Oxford because of the bombing in London during the 2nd World War. For a time after being born he went with his Mother to live with Step relatives in Ascot.Berks.

But his mother did not enjoy being there so she returned with him to London during the Blitz to their home at 15 Berber Rd Battersea London S.W.11. He started school at 5yrs old in 1948 and went to Belleville Rd. School nearby to where he lived. He lived with his parents & brother Geoffry in the ground floor flat which consisted of 3 rooms a scullery a coal celler a small back garden and a very tiny front garden. The toilet was outside in the back yard & the Upstairs Bathroom was shared. But as the hot water system was only made hot by a coal fired Back boiler behind the living room fire, hot water was only available in the winter when the coal fire was alight. In the summer buckets of water were boiled on the gas stove(oven hob) and poured into a tin bath which when not in use was hung on the wall outside in the backyard. Clothes were washed in the large stone butler sink in the scullery with a scrubbing board or washboard and wrung out with a hand turned Mangle which was kept in the back yard. During those early years there were few household appliances. There was no Fridge . Meat was kept in a wire mesh meat safe in the back yard and most perishable food was shopped for on a daily basis. At this time most things were still on ration due to shortages caused by the war and ration books had to be produced when buying food or anything else that was still on ration. Although television had been invented it was only owned by a few wealthy people. The only home entertainment was the wireless(Radio). Although there was a piano in the front room nobody in the imediate family could play it and it was used only at Parties and Christmas when the family got together and somebody would play it. Very few homes had a telephone and if you did know somebody with a phone you would have to walk to the nearest telephone box to call them. The upstairs flat consisted of 3 rooms plus an attic room an indoor toilet and the bathroom which also had a butler sink for washing up or washing clothes. This flat was occupied by Michael's Grandmother and " Stepgrandfather" Ada Annie Taylor nee Wale and Harry Spencer. As nobody in the area owned cars and traffic was extremely rare in the back streets, children played in the streets and as there were a number of children living around, there was soon a large group of friends,who all went to the same school. At 7 years old in 1950 he moved into the junior boys part of the school. The school was divided into 3 sections Mixed infants,Junior boys and Junior Girls.

Michaels Father at this time was working at Morgan Crucibles which later became Morganite carbon,in Battersea church Rd Next to Battersea Bridge (Now a housing complex with Riverside views). His mother worked as a cleaning lady for several different people in Chelsea. As did his Grandmother Ada.

Michaels Grandmother went to work in the morning and his mother left for work later after he had gone to school. When school finished for the day his Grandmother was home and she would look after him until his Mother came home. But most of the time after school was spent playing in the street with the local children. Weekends and school holidays were the same and if there was nobody at home a key was always under the mat on the front step. Every year the family always went for 2 weeks holiday to a holiday camp which was great fun. In the early years it was Leysdown holiday camp on the isle of Sheppey then Golden sands holiday camp at St Marys Bay Near Dymchurch Kent. Later they went to Warners Southley on Hayling Island Hants. At the age of 11 1954 Michael took an 11+ Exam which he passed and later that year started at Sir Walter St Johns Grammer School at the end of Battersea High St. In 1954 boys would still be wearing short trousers until the age of about 13. The school uniform consisted of Black shoes Grey Knee high socks with the school colors around the top which was turned over. Short Grey trousers, a black blazer with the school badge a white or grey shirt ,the school tie and school cap with badge on the front. At first Michael would go to school by bus from Northcote Rd.Battersea to the Princes Head Battersea and then walk down Battersea High St. Later he would go by push bike. As well as the normal lessons in those days Grammer school children were taught Latin French Physics & Chemistry. By this time a new type of music was being heard in England ( Rock & Roll) From America and teenagers were Dressing in the new fashion which was known as the Edwardian style and boys dressing like this were called Teddy Boys. This consisted of thick crepe sole shoes very tight trousers with 14" turn up bottoms A long drape jacket a shirt and a very thin or bootlace tie . The hair was combed back both sides to give a Ducks tail effect at the back and a large quiff at the front. This was achieved by the use of Hair cream. Around about the age of 14 Michael and many of his local Freind joined the local youth club which was held every weekday evening in Belleville School. Michael and Friends would carry his record player & records every night to the club where they would play Rock & roll and dance. The group gradual became larger and larger, and apart from the youth club they would also meet up at DeMarcos coffee bar in the Northcote Rd. Which had a Juke Box. Sunday afternoon was always spent at the local cinema Which was called the Century in Northcote Rd. Where they would go in a large group sometimes as many as forty boys & girls & Generally cause chaos. It was at the Bellville Rd Club that Michael met Sylvia Tetlow when he was about 16 years old. Sylvia was 15 and for him it was love at first sight. Michael left school aged 16 not having achieved much academic success and started work at the Fore St Warehouse Company in Moorgate in the City of London as a trainee Buyer in the Ladies dress department. Most of his duties were taking in deliveries and packing orders for delivery . When this company was taken over by another company everybody was out of work and Michael found a Job with a Dress Manufactures called Western Gowns in Lampeter St Islington North London Where he worked as a packer. At age 17 Michael learnt to drive and passed his driving test. His first vehicle was an Austin A.40 van 1948 which had a roller shutter at the back this was bought for £15 which was about 3 weeks wages. At this time he was earning £6 per week after Tax and Insurance this left about £4. 15s o.d (£4 .75p) of which £2 was given to his Mother for food & lodging. Weekends would sometimes be spent going out for the day in the van loaded with up to 17 boys & girls to the coast where they would have a great time, again general causing chaos. When the old Austin van finally packed up,Michael bought a1938 Ford Popular Saloon from the youth club leader for £20. Many weekends the crowd of friends would split up into pairs & hitchhike to the coast and sleep where they could in old Barns bus shelters & even on the beach & then hitchhike home. On bank holidays they would go in a number of cars and take tents and camp in places like Cheddar, Hayling Island Ect. In 1962 Michael & Sylvia went on Holiday together for their first trip outside England. 2 weeks in Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava in Spain the trip was made all the way by train & coach and cost £29 each for the package including Hotel & full board. By this time the old Ford popular had given up and as a present Michaels Mother bought him a 1950 Rover 75 Saloon. In August 1964 Michael & Sylvia Married at St Barnabus Church Clapham Common and went back to Tossa de mar for their Honeymoon this time they flew, both for the first time.

By this time Michael had changed his Job and was working for a Dress Material Wholesalers called Arnold Lever in Margaret St. W.1 where he was in charge of the warehouse. After a while he asked to be given a job commercial travelling around the east end of London selling dress material to the manufacturers. He hated this Job and after a while he found he could earn better money working at Morganite Carbon where his father worked on a press making carbon brushes. Michael and Sylvia started married life in 1 room in the upstairs flat of Sylvia Grandmother & Stepgrandfather at 13 Keildon Rd. Battersea. The remainder of the upstairs flat was occupied by a Lodger and Sylvia Gran & Grandfather lived downstairs. They had 1 room spare at the very top of the house which had been Sylvias bedroom before the marriage. This was now used for visitors to stay. After a short while the lodger moved out and Michael & Sylvia took over the the two rooms he had occupied Making three with a toilet & a shared bathroom. Michael then bought his next car which was a 1948 Hillman Minx Convertible. Again they had many fun weekends away with the crowd. Nicola was born September 1967 at an annex to the South London womens Hospital in Nightingale lane Balham and came home to the upstairs flat at 13 Keildon Rd. It was at this time Michael & Sylvia experienced their first caravan holiday. This was hired for a week and a Freind lent them a Land Rover to tow it with and off they went with |Nicola as a baby to Pembrokeshire in Wales. At this time Michael had given up his job at Morganite and was working for his friend Peter Bates selling heating Paraffin door to door in the winter & working for Sylvias Uncle,John Bissett in the summer with a Boiler repair Company called Boiler Maintenance.. In 1970 Michael Antony was born at 13 Keildon Rd. Sylvias Uncle John decided to start his own boiler repair company and asked Michael if he would take a chance and work for him. Not long after this Michael & Sylvia bought their first house From the Mother of one of the crowd Dick Mckenzie.This was at 39 Ashness Rd. Battersea In the next Rd. to Berber where Michaels Mother Father & Grandmother still lived. The price of the 6 room House was in1972 £6,400. Which Gave them a Mortgage repayment of £43 Per Month. In 1974 Lisa was born at 39 Ashness Rd. Nicola by this time had Started School at Bellville Rd. Infants Where Michael had gone in 1948. In 1975 they decided to move and Sold 39 Ashness Rd. for £15,500. and bought 174 Claremont Avenue Motspur Park New Malden Surrey For £15,000 and after moving expenses came out of the sale about even. When the Hilman car had packed up Michael had bought a 2 yr old Austin Mini this had now gone but they had the use of the firms Van and arrived in Claremont Avenue with Michael Sylvia Nicola & Michael Jnr in the front Lisa in a cot in the back along with 2 Dogs Cinders & Shandy and the cat and some of their belongings following the removal van.

Fact 1: May 5, 1943, Born Oxford

Fact 2: August 15, 1964, Married aged 21 at St Barnabus Church Clapham common

Fact 3: Abt. 1971, Bought First House at 39 Ashness Rd Battersea London SW11

Fact 4: September 1975, Sold 39 Ashness Rd & Bought 174 Claremont Ave Motspur Park New Malden Surrey

Marriage: August 15, 1964, St Barnabus Church Clapham Common Battersea

Marriage: August 15, 1983, New Malden Suurey

Fact 1: October 8, 1974, Born 39 Ashness Rd Battersea SW11

Fact 2: 1975, Moved With Parents to 174 Claremont Ave Motspur Park New Malden Surrey

Fact 3: 1995, Married & Moved to Tweedale Rd Carshalton Surrey

Marriage: August 12, 1995, New Malden Surrey