Son of
W.P. 'Bill' Richardson's Great Aunt, Annie Richardson
Robert was born in
the last quarter of 1897, he was given the middle name
of Richardson which was his mother's maiden name and his
birth was registered in the Sunderland Registration
District. His parents were Ralph Middleton and his wife
Annie (nee Richardson). Robert was
recorded on the census of 1901, with his family at 2
Cooperative Freehold, Usworth, Co. Durham. He was 3
years old and had a younger brother, John, who was 8
months. Robert's Dad, Ralph, was 26 and worked as a
bricklayer, his Mam was 25. Robert was
to have two more sisters and another brother, Annie
Richardson was born in 1903, Margaret Pallister was born
in 1905 and William Pallister was born in 1907.
Sadly, his brother John died in 1905, aged 5 and then
his sister Margaret died in 1909, she was only one.
Robert's father, Ralph, died in 1909, aged 35.
On the census of 1911 the family were recorded at 6
Manor View, New Washington. Robert was 13. His Mam,
Annie, was listed as a 35 year old widow and she had a
confectionery shop. The other children in the house were
Annie (7) and William (3). (I wonder if they were
allowed sweeties?) There was also a domestic
servant listed, Annie Carr who I assume helped to look
after the house and children while Robert's Mam worked
in the shop. In the third quarter of
1927, Robert married Lydia Hannah Handy, they were to
have two children Margaret (born 1929) and Lydia (born
1939). Robert died in the last quarter of
1952, he was 54 years old and his death was registered
in the Gateshead Registration District. |
