Stories of Percy Main Railwaymen Part 3

T.W. Milburn

Thomas William Milburn was born in the June Quarter of 1894 to William D. and Margaret E. Milburn at Tynemouth. In the 1901 Census, the family lived at 23, Headley Street, Chirton. The family comprised of parents William D. and Margaret E., sons George C., Thomas W., Robert C., and daughter Mable I. By the 1911 Census the family had moved to 46, St. John Street, Percy Main, the family now comprised of parents William D. and Margaret E., sons Thomas W., Robert C. and Ralph, and daughter Mable I.

In 1910, Milburn joined the North Eastern Railway as an Engine Cleaner based at Percy Main. A few years later he was promoted to a Fireman, still at Percy Main. In 1911, whilst serving as an Engine Cleaner, Milburn joined the Amalgamated Society Of Railway Servants at their branch in Percy Main.

On the 7th May 1915, Milburn joined the recently formed 18th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, one of the many Newcastle Pals Battalions. The 18th Battalion were known as the 1st Tyneside Pioneers, owing to their designation as a Pioneer Battalion. Milburn took the rank of Private and the service number 18/1397.
In January 1916, Milburn and the 18th Battalion moved to France for work on the Western Front. At some point, Milburn moved to the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), joining the 51st Battalion. He retained the rank of Private but took the service number 35283.

In August 1918, Milburn was reported as Missing. This was later upgraded to Missing, Presumed Killed in Action on the 21st August 1918. Milburn has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial in France.

M. Scanlan

Not much is known about Michael Scanlan’s early life. Scanlan joined the North Eastern Railway in 1910 and worked as a Gangman at Percy Main, however, it is unknown when Scanlan joined the army.
In late 1914, the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borders and Scanlan were serving in India and were quickly returned to England upon the outbreak of the Great War. They moved to France soon after and later they served in the Gallipoli Campaign in January 1916. After Gallipoli, Scanlan and the battalion returned to the Western Front.

In July 1916, the 1st Battalion fought in the Battle of the Somme. Scanlan was killed in action on the first day of the battle, the 1st July. His body was never recovered and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.