John Thomas "Tommy"# Moorby

   Cause of his death was Coronary Thrombosis.

  Notes:

Originally lots of problems - lot's of John/Thomas Moorby's in Settle around the correct time. Initially had incorrect one (but that was his cousin anyway, so not complete waste of time) as Doris father, and had Tommy as a cousin.
Was born out of wedlock, this confirmed by Alan Blanchard and John Byrom. Although his parents married shortly after he was born he seems to have continued to live with his grandfather, John Moorby, certainly he was at the time of both the '91 and '01 census. Also kept surname Moorby.

Birth cert (from John Byrom); 4th July 1887, Settle. John Thomas. Father; not given. Mother; Elizabeth Moorby ('A Mill Hand'). Informant; Elizabeth Moorby, Mother, Settle.

1891 Census (age 3) living at Poole's Row, Settle in house of widowed grandfather, John Moorby, as well as 2 aunts - Esther and Rose. NB is down as John Thomas Moorby here.

1901 Census (age 13) living at Cob Castle (next to Pools Row - probably same house as '91) in house of widowed grandfather John Moorby. Also in house are Aunt Sarah Jackson (and her husband and 4 children and granddau) and another cousin - William Moorby. Not yet sure where William fits in - so not entered. Occupation; "<something>boy" and then (written later in different writing) it says 'Hawk'. Could almost be newsboy?! - did he sell newspapers ? NB Is down as Thomas Moorby here.

1914; At time of marriage (age 26) listed as 'Carter' and as living at Victoria Street, Settle. Father not given on wedding cert. Witnesses were Harold Kew (Tommy's brother) and Mary Dinsdale (who is presumably Jane Ann's sister, although theoretically it could also be her aunt).

Nov 1914; Occupation on John's birth cert; Private 6th Battalion West Riding Regiment (Carter).

1921 Cenus living (age 33y11m) at Bowskills Yard, Settle with wife and 3 children. Occupation; Carter for Brassingtons. Occupying 3 rooms.

1922; Living at Bowskill Yard, Settle

1946; Listed as Horseman and Carter on William Moorby's birth cert.

An Ode by J.T.Walker, May 1953 Bridge End" , found by Ian Robert's in his father's papers. I think this must have been written for the 50 year anniversary dinner mentioned in the obit.
Now this is the tale of the Brassington Lads,
And here you will learn of their ways and their fads,
For each individual I'll try to portray,
To give entertainment on this special day.
Now listen with interest and then you will learn
Some things most amusing about the old firm.

I shall start off with Tommy with honour tonight,
For he's a grand chap we know he's alright
With Jane Ann beside him he cannot be wrong
For she's been right with him for 50 years long.
But I bet on cold mornings she's kept on the hop,
When Tommy arises to go make his chop.

Tom Moorby remembers the horse and the dray,
When no motor cars ever rumbled this way,
And motor bikes were things yet to be,
And one had to walk to get home for tea,
Though Tom with his horse could given all of them race,
But with this 'ere A40 he can't stand the pace !
<poem then continues with other staff members>

Obituary (Presumably from Craven Herald) headlined 'Great Lover of Horses' and subtitled ' "Tommy" Moorby, of Settle' reads;
"By the death, suddenly on Friday, of Mr.John Thomas Moorby (known as "Tommy"), of Howson's Yard, Settle, the town and district have lost one of the best known personalities.
Aged 71, Tommy was a native of Settle, and was educated at Settle Church of England School. He began work at Bridge End Mill, Settle with the firm then known as Messrs. Brassington Bros. and Corney (now Messrs.Brassington Sons & Co Ltd) in April 1903, at the age of 15. For about two years he was employed as a labourer, his chief job being to bring tools from the mill to the places where jobs were being done. His first job in this connection was when draining operations were taking place at Catterall Hall, Giggleswick (SMGP: later attended by his great grandson - me!). At 18 he was given the responsibility of looking after a black pony and cart, and this arrangement continued for over half a century, despite the "mechanical age" until "Tommy" retired at Christmas, 1957.
He had several horses under his charge during this long span of service and he made them his friends; he only had to whistle or call his horse by name when in the field, and it would gallop up to him. He was a great horse lover, and one of his remarkable achievements was when he and another employee took a furniture van from Settle to Leeds and back drawn by three horses. It took up three days travelling from dawn to midnight each day. In 1953, the directors of Messrs. Brassington Sons and Co Ltd gave a dinner to all the employees and ther wives at which the chief guests were Mr.Moorby and his wife, to mark the completion of 50 years service with the firm by Mr.Moorby.
During the whole of the 1914-18 war "Tommy" served with the 2/6th Duke of Wellington's transport unit, and saw service in France.
He was a staunch member of the Settle branch of the British Legion. Although he did not take any active part in local sport, Mr.Moorby was keenly interested, and was an ardent supporter of both Settle United Football Club and Settle Cricket Club. He was also a member of Settle Working Men's Club.
Mr.Moorby had a cheerful disposition, and whenever one met him either at work or not, he was always the same, smiling and cheerful.
He is survived by two sons and three daughters, his wife having predeceased him by four months. (SMGP; two sons; Thomas and Jack; also having pre-deceased him).
The funeral was at Settle Parish Church, on Monday, a service being conducted by the Vicar (Rev.E.Ashby) in the presence of a large congregation, which included in addition to many friends, directors and fellow employees of Messrs. Brassingtons Sons and Co Ltd.
Family mourners were; Mr.Eric Moorby (son), Mr.and Mrs.W.Moorby (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs.W.Byrom (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Jack Byrom (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs.W.Blanchard (son-in-law and daughter), Mr.and Mrs.H.Kew (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Stephens (brother-in-law and sister), Mr.and Mrs.W.Humphreys (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. and Mrs.W.Smith (niece), Mrs.Hanson and Mrs.Hodgson (sister-in-law), Mr.H.Stephens (nephew), Mrs.L.Gregson, Mrs.J.Lord and Mrs.Hargreaves (cousins). (JRGP says she was babysitting on the day of the funeral).
Amongst the many beautiful floral tributes were wreaths from employers and workmates, Settle Working Men's Club and Settle branch British Legion."

Not in Probate Index.

John married Jane Ann# Dinsdale, daughter of Frederick# Sunter and Barbara# Dinsdale, on 3 Jun 1914 in Parish Church, Settle, N.Yorks. (Jane Ann# Dinsdale was born on 15 Jul 1889 in Gayle, Hawes, N Yorks, died on 30 Nov 1958 in 2 Howson's Yard, Settle, Yorkshire and was buried on 3 Dec 1958 in Settle Parish Churchyard, Settle, N.Yorks.). The cause of her death was Exhaustion, Arterial Obstruction R.Leg, Diabetis.