Articles

Matthew Wilkinson Bestford was born on 7th May 1892. He was the son of Robert Bestford (1865-1935) and his wife Phyllis Bestford (née Woodman).

Robert Bestford was the son of George and Jane Bestford. He was baptised on 11th June 1865 at St. Giles Parish Church, Birtley, Northumberland.

Thomas Besford was born on 11th June 1900, the son of Thomas Besford and Elizabeth Besford (née Train). Thomas was the brother of John Besford (1890-1916).

George Besford was born on 15th January 1871 at Barrasford, Northumberland. He was baptised on 26th March 1871 at St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Warden.

Dorothy Jane Besford was born on 21st September 1915 at 273 Rosalind Street, Ashington, Northumberland. Her parents were John William Besford (always known as Jack) and Agnes Jane Besford (née Hewit). Dora (as she would always be known) was named after her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Jane Hewit (née Ferrow).

John Besford was born on 5th February 1872 at Cowpen Square, Blyth, Northumberland. John was the son of Alexander Besford, a coal miner, and his wife Elizabeth (Bessy) Besford (née Mills).

Cowpen is situated on the southern bank of the River Blyth. The opening up of the Cowpen North and South pits at the end of the eighteenth century led to the building of Cowpen Square in order to house the coal miners and their families who came to Cowpen to work in these pits.

Thomas Besford was born at Espley, Northumberland, in 1833. He was baptised at the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, Mitford, on 21st April 1833.

Mary Besford was baptised at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Horton , Northumberland, on 27th January 1822. Her parents were Robert Besford (1792-1844) and Mary Besford (née Marshall).

Ann Besford was the daughter of Robert Besford (1792-1844) and his wife Mary Besford (née Marshall).