FAMILY TREES

TOMMY

I first became aware of Uncle Tommy when he occasionally came to our house on a Sunday evening. Very smartly dressed in grey suit and trilby, he would have a chat with the family before going off with my Father for a drink at the local club. There, he may well have met-up with Fred, his brother-in-law and subsequently paid a visit to see Norah, his sister who lived nearby in Victoria Road. Tommy always tried to keep in touch with his family - he lived a few miles away at Bill Quay then eventually moved to Wardley.

He was a sturdily built, slightly below average height man. A good head of curly grey hair and strong facial features with blue eyes and a healthy colouring from a life of working outdoors. Apart from his service as a soldier in the First World War, he worked most of his life as a Trimmer at the staithes of Pelaw Main on the banks of the Tyne.

Tom Bates, Tommy and brother Jack
pose for hat styles. Early 1920's

The staithes was the works with a conveyor belt and shoot which guided coal from the coal wagons on the riverside to the ships moored at the key. The coal was carried down from the heights of Windy Nook for a few miles on a railway called the Dilly Line. Full wagons ran down the long incline with a connnecting cable which allowed the emptied ones to be pulled up the incline.

To empty the wagons they were clamped in a huge machine which then rotated and turned them upside down. The coal emptied onto a conveyor belt then down into the collier's hold. A Trimmer made sure the cargo of coal was equally distributed in the holds of the ship. It was a dirty and tough job not without some physical risk.

He loved merriment and his face was often creased with mirth as his hearty laughter rang out. Always good company and prepared to keenly discuss politics or sport. He was intensely patriotic and a strong Conservative. He liked a drink and a gamble.

My father and Uncle Tommy often went out to sports meetings - especially the greyhound racing. As a young man, my father did some sprinting at the handicaps with Tommy in support. Side-betting was an important feature. There was always a close bond between the two brothers.

Later on, in the late fifties, I got to know him a little when I joined the rowing club (called 'Tyne Amateur' near the Swing Bridge on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne). He had been a keen rower until he was about 50 years of age and still supported the club and its activities. He loved sport of any description and took an interest when and wherever he could.

Of course he encouraged his three sons and his eldest, Arkle (also called by his other name Tommy by the rowing fraternity) was also a good rower for many years and won many trophies. His youngest son Alexander also joined the club when I did and we had a crew with three Cummings names.

I look back and remember Uncle Tommy as very friendly, supportive and good company. (Terry)