John William (Jack) Besford (1891–1975)
Jack Besford began work as miner on his 13th birthday, and went on to become a leading trade unionist.
Amble
Amble is a town on the North Sea coast of Northumberland, England, at the mouth of the River Coquet.
Amble grew in the nineteenth century as collieries were opened, becoming a centre for the export of coal by sea.
A number of Besfords have a connection to 19 Church Street, Amble.
David Besford (1863–1954)
David Besford was born at Cowpen Colliery, where he began work aged 12. His work as a Methodist lay preacher led him to meet his wife.
David Besford (1919–2015)
David Besford worked for the Cooperative Wholesale Society in Newcastle, where he met his future wife Joan Matthews. He drove a fire engine during the Second World War, and later joined the Civil Service.
George Besford (1893–1966)
George Besford was born in Amble, Northumberland. He lost his leg in the Battle of the Somme, and later worked in the lamp cabin at Woodhorn Colliery, Ashington.
David Besford (1897–1991)
David Besford was injured fighting in the First World War. He and his family emigrated from the UK to Australia in 1925, where he worked as a mines inspector.
Daisy Besford (later Lyons) (1894–1969)
Daisy Besford was born in Amble, Northumberland. She married William Lyons in 1918. The couple had a daughter, Mary, and a son, also called William.
Mary Besford (née Turnbull) (1865–1951)
Mary Turnbull was born in 1865. She married David Besford (1863–1954) in 1887. The couple had 12 children.
Mary Besford (later Thompson/Turner) (1888–1985)
Mary Besford was born in Broomhill, Northumberland. Her first husband was killed in the First World War, leaving her with two children aged 7 and 4.
William Thomas Besford
William Thomas Besford was born in 1856. He worked as a miner and had two children with his wife Elizabeth, before becoming the landlord of The Waterloo Hotel on Queen Street, Amble, Northumberland.
Isabella Besford (1895–1898)
Isabella Besford was born at Middleton Street, Amble, Northumberland, on 1st November 1895. She died on 14th November 1898 at Chevington Colliery, Northumberland from measles and diptheria.