RootsChat.Com

So I've checked the census of 1881/1891/1901 for the address given.
And as you pointed out, Henry and Ann Oxborough were living at Foster Terrace Crosdale Sunderland.
I checked all the surrounding streets and addresses and there was no Hannah Dixon.
I thought she might be a matriarch or something.
So I am thinking now that maybe Ann Oxborough was Hannah Dixon???
It was his Grandmother and no-one else lived at that address in any census

And yes, I have confirmed the Charles Randall listed as NOK is the brother of his grandmother Ann Randall.

Wow!
Thanks Jim1 - that is some great information, and lots more for me to follow up.

Now I am more intrigued.
The newspaper article lists Cpl Joseph Purdy (aged 40) dying within 6 weeks of Wilfred and Tom.
We can confirm Wilfred and Tom, both in genealogy and military records.
But Joseph is a mystery.
As Jim has shown, he changed names a few times and enlisted under different names.
The genealogy supports that , as do the military records?
So who was the Cpl Joseph Purdy that died? And surely the newspaper wouldn't link it to the Purdy family in multiple article entries across the country if it wasn't true???
Was it just a simple mistake?
A Joseph Purdy (241995) from Northumberland Fusiliers died on 26 Oct 1917 - was this one of the other Purdy brothers adopting Dad's name? or is it just a different Purdy family and a simple error was made?

Hi,
 I'm hoping someone can help me find out some more information about this family story. The newspaper article below appeared across England in several papers in April 1918 (I've retyped it to make it easier to read )

A Family's Sacrifice (22 June 1918)
Three sons of Mr and Mrs Joseph Purdy of Cornforth, Durham have been killed in action during the past six weeks;
Private Wildred Purdy, Scots Fusiliers, aged 22
Corporal Joseph Purdy, R.F.A, aged 40
Driver Tom Purdy, aged 19
Mr and Mrs Purdy's other 3 sons are in the Army; one in France, another in hospital in Egypt; and the third on leave recovering from gas.

It mentions Joseph Purdy (1853-1928) and Isabella Purdy nee Cochrane/Corkin (1865-1934) finding out that they had lost 3 sons in the space of 6 weeks of WW1 with another 3 still surviving and 2 of those injured.

I want to find out as much as I can about the 6 brothers. I think it will be a fascinating story.
So far I have the following information;
1) Joseph Purdy - seems to have been one that died after the article (1875-1918?) but haven't confirmed his details
2) William Purdy (1877-1918) - service No - 102780 - Royal Engineers, 255th Tunnelling Co - died from injuries sustained in Flanders, buried in Belgium
3) Tom Purdy (1897-1918) - service No - 26397 - Royal Horse Artillery- died 4Jun1918 - although the article only calls him a driver with no rank
4) Wilfred Purdy (1899-1918) - service no 302386 - The Royal Scots 8th Battalion
There were two others that served, from the remaining 5 brothers; The remaining brothers were
5) Robert Purdy (1876-  )
6) George Purdy (1888-1941)
7) John Purdy (1890-   )
Arthur Purdy (1894-  )
9) Jim Henry Purdy (1902-1979) - unlikely to have served - too young

The Dad (Joseph) married Emma Oxborough(1854-1885) and had Joseph, Robert, and William. He married Isabella Cochrane 2 years after Emma's death and had another 6 boys and 4 girls.
My grandmother (Jessie Smith nee Davies 1913-2002) was the daughter of one of the girls (Isabella 1892-1929) and told us lots of tales about how brave her uncles were and how sad it was when they didn't come home.

I really would like to do justice to the tale and learn as much as I can about these brave men.
Does anyone have any links to these men or can offer any advice?