Jo C

Thank you for the update.  I know Thomas fought in Mesopotamia in ww1. I have quite a few old photographs and stories of George and Thomas, both went on to fight in WW2. George died in South Africa in 1968 & Thomas in Eastbourne, Sussex in 1978.

Thank you Alan.  I will search through the family tree to see if there is a Graham Bestford in there.  I have just purchased a few books by Evan Martin - uh oh, I feel I am not going to get much else done for a while 🙂

From the Bedlington timeline -  1898 Graham & Bestford's Dene Candlework's established.    

Does anyone know if the Bestford of Graham & Bestford's Dene Candle Works, was Thomas Bestford (1861 - 1947)?  Thomas was my get grandfather.  From Census documents his occupation in 1881 ( residence Double Row, Bedlington), 1891 (residence Furnace & BankTop) is listed as coal miner, then in 1901 (residence Ironworks) as candlemaker, then again coal miner in 1911 (36 St Cuthberts Terrace Gateshead).  

Thank you for sharing this picture and info.  From other information and Census records I have seen, it appears that Thomas wasn't a candlemaker for long.  He was previously a coalminer, then returned to coal mining after being a candlemaker. 

I am actually an Essex girl, and have never been to Bedlington. When I started researching my family tree during the first lockdown, I suddenly became quite fascinated with the place, and I have so much to learn.  Hopefully I can track-down some copies of Evan Martins books, and one day make a visit.  

I  have just looked through this very interesting site created by Derek Johnstone.  My Grandpa Thomas Bestford, and 4 of his brothers fought in WW1, 2 of them lost their lives.  Thomas is standing at the back in this photograph. Unfortunately, they are not listed on this site.  Maybe this was because at the time of WW1 they were listed on the census as living at Snowball Terrace, Gateshead?  However, all 6 brothers were born and raised in Bedlington.