James Thirlwell 1888-?

[IanT]

I spotted the photo of J Thirlwell in the photos list, taken from the team photo of New Seaham Thistle. A portrait shot taken from the team photo also appears in Named Faces. He bears a striking likeness to a photo I have of my grandfather's brother James Thirlwell taken around 1914. Does anyone have any biographical details of the Thistle football player?
My gr uncle James was married to Harriet Davies in June 1911. I believe they had a son James, and possibly another Eric.
James was the son of John Thirlwell and Annie Curry. At the 1901 census the family were living in 15, Henry Street, Seaham Harbour, and in 1911 at 6, Ropery Walk.
(Originally posted in the Discussion Forum.)

A portrait from the attached photo has now gone up in the Named Faces section, next to J. Thirlwell from the football team photo. I think it shows they are the same person.

Ian Thirlwell

[IanT]

A belated follow-up:
I received a copy of the birth certificate for the son of James and Harriet. On it the father's occupation is given as sergeant Kings 18th Liverpool Regiment. This allowed me to find a medal index card for him (no service or pension record unfortunately) which showed that, as well as the Victory and British medals, he was award the Silver War Badge implying injury during war service.
The 18th Liverpool Regiment was a Liverpool Pals regiment. What was a lad from Seaham Harbour doing as a Liverpool Pal??
Ian

[Brian Slee]

Ian I have a similar anomaly. I have a group of medals (WWI trio - no wound badge) to a Seaham born man who after enlisting in the RGA later transferred to 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Glasgow) the Highland Light Infantry - known as the Glasgow Boys Brigade Battalion as it was formed from former members ofthe Glasgow Battalion Boys Brigade in Sept 1914. Neither of his parents were born in Scotland and he is buried in Princess Road Cemetery with CWGC headstone.....DoW France & Flanders. Entered France 1915 with HLI, wounded Jan 1917. Jan 1918 died Feb 1918. His widowed mother was living in Seaham at time of his death....
My perhaps naive reasoning is he became mates with someone perhaps from Glasgow/boys brigade and transferred.... wanted to get overseas quicker and these were going.....

Brian

[IanT]

I forgot to say the boy's birth was in 1917, at 11 Rainton Street, & registered by his mother. I presume it is likely that James, the father, was away with the regiment at the time, either that or he was already discharged, injured by then.
Ian