Daisy Besford was born on 2nd July 1894 at Middleton Street, Amble, Northumberland. She was the daughter of David Besford and Mary Besford (née Turnbull).
The 1901 census records Daisy at 6 years old, living at Swarland Terrace, East Chevington, with her parents and siblings. Later that year the family moved to 9 Leslie Row, Radcliffe, where they lived until at least 1909.
The 1911 census records Daisy aged 16 and now living with her family at 116 Pont Street, Hirst, Ashington. By 1914 the family had moved to 72 Milburn Road, Ashington.
On 13th June 1918 Daisy married William Lyons at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Morpeth. Daisy was not quite 24 and William Lyons was 26. He was a coal miner (a hewer) in civilian life, but is shown on their marriage certificate as Sergeant 2420274, Reserve Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers. At this point the end of the First World War was still 5 months away. Daisy’s sister Janet Besford was a witness at the wedding.
On 16th May 1919 Daisy gave birth to a daughter who was named Mary. Mary was born at 72 Milburn Road, Ashington, the home of Daisy’s parents.
The 1921 census records Daisy and William still at 72 Milburn Road, Ashington, with Daisy’s father David Besford and her siblings, Tom, Alec and Janet. William and Daisy’s daughter Mary, aged 2 was with them in the household. Daisy’s mother Mary Besford (née Turnbull) was not at home when the census was taken (19th June 1921) but was recorded in the convalescent home at Gilsland, Cumberland.
William and Daisy’s son William was born on 29th September 1926 at 110 Maple Street, Ashington. He would be known as Willy Lyons. Willy turned out to be a fine sportsman.
Daisy’s husband William died in 1968 aged 75. Daisy herself sadly died aged 74 less than a year later on 23rd May 1969, at 2 Seabank, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, the home of her son Willy and daughter-in-law Stella. She had been suffering from stomach cancer.
