John William (Jack) Besford (1891–1975)
Jack Besford began work as a miner on his 13th birthday, and went on to become a leading trade unionist.
Radcliffe
Radcliffe was a mining community in Northumberland, a mile south of Amble, once home to over 700 people. A colliery remained working until 1892, when coal extraction became uneconomical.
See the full article about Radcliffe.
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.
Alexander Sanderson Besford (1901–1992)
Alexander Sanderson Besford was a miner, and a member of the Salvation Army at Ashington, where he played in their brass band. He was also, like his father David Besford, a Methodist lay preacher.
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.
Janet Besford (later Partland) (1902–1994)
Janet Besford married Albert Edward Partland in 1925. In 1928, Janet gave birth to a son, also named Albert Edward Partland. The family later moved to Wakefield and Motherwell.
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.
Nellie Besford (1904–1905)
Nellie Besford was born on 22nd February 1904. Nellie was born with spina bifida and died just over one year later.
Radcliffe, Northumberland
Radcliffe was once home to over 700 people. It was an independent and self-sufficient settlement with its own schools, shops, churches and working men’s club.
Family of David Besford (1863–1954) and Mary Besford (née Turnbull)
David Besford and Mary Turnbull had twelve children, born at Broomhill and Amble from December 1888.