In this third episode of Series Eight, host Andrew meets historian and postman Adam Simpson-York, who through rigorous research, has been able to ensure that people receive a special delivery – family heirlooms as part of his Medals Going Home project. He uses his eBay ‘sniper’ skills along with his research skills to reunite families with their history and items, including HM Queen Camilla!.
Listen to the episode
S08EP03 – 'The Collier' with Adam Simpson-York – The Family Histories Podcast
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…
The Life Story – David Edward Ellis
Adam has chosen to tell the story of his Great Grandfather David Edward Ellis, who was born in Shotton Colliery, Durham, England in 1907.
David’s father William was a coal miner, originally from Wales, and this was an occupation that was synonymous with the village of Shotton Colliery – David’s brother worked in the mine, and David followed suit. At the time of David’s marriage in 1929 in London, he’s still noted as a coal miner.
David later served in World War Two as a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps’ 18th Division Transport Company. He was captured and was forced to march with 7,000 men a distance of 290km during the wet season to Songkurai, Thailand, where he contracted cholera and died of this and tropical ulcers. His remains were exhumed and re-buried in Burma (now Myanmar).
News of his death took a very long time to reach home, and whilst a lack of letters may have hinted towards his demise, the eventual news deeply affected his son for the rest of his life.
The Brick Wall – Thomas Tyler
It’s a puzzle in his wife’s family tree that has Adam guessing…
Thomas Tyler was his wife’s Great Grandfather but he’s surrounded in mystery and family lore – with rumours of his involvement in the gangster underworld of London. His death certificate suggests he was born around 1910. His marriage in Bromley Register Office in 1953 gives him an age of 41, which bumps his birth date around 1911-1912.
At the marriage to wife Mary, Thomas names his father as also Thomas Tyler.
However, Adam has not been able to confirm his birth.
Was Thomas Tyler a pseudonym? Were there really links to Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie in London’s gangster underworld that led to him taking a new name to protect his identity in later life?
Adam hopes a DNA test taken by his mother-in-law might help bring some clues, but he’s hoping that listeners can help him out.
If you think that you have a research clue or idea that can help him discover Thomas Tyler’s birth, then you can contact him via the Medals Going Home Facebook Page or Twitter page, or alternatively you can send him a message via our contact form and we’ll pass it along to him.
In the meantime, Andrew and Sándor’s help is welcomed by Adam, but can they deliver on time?
Episode Credits
- Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
- Adam Simpson-York – Guest
- John Spike – Sándor Petőfi
Useful Links
A list of resources and websites mentioned in this episode.
