St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church, Woodland

Memorial Plaque: John Hepple

A bronze plaque on an oak mount with the following inscription:

“To the glory of God and in affectionate remembrance of John Hepple deeply beloved husband of Isabella Hepple who was killed in the Great War 5^th October 1918 a communicant of this church and a sidesman of the parish.”

Family Details

John was born 1881[1] at Tow Law the son of Joseph and Margaret Hepple. In 1891 the family lived at 80 Old Row, Oakenshaw near Willington, Co. Durham where Joseph worked as a coal miner.[2] The 1901 census details for the family have not been traced.

In 1904 John Hepple married Isabella Walker at Bishop Auckland.[3] By 1911, the family lived at Woodland where John was recorded as “a green grocer own account” and Isabella “assisted in the business.” They had 4 children, all born at Woodland:

Millicent bc.1907
Eva bc.1909
Gladys born 1900 [4]
John bc.1913 [5]

Millicent and Gladys did not marry and ran the village shop. Eva married John S. Lee in 1938 (Q2).[6]

References:

[1] England & Wales 1837-1915 Birth Index Vol.10a p.372 Durham 1881 Q4

[2] 1891 census Note: Hepple was spelt Heppell

[3] England & Wales 1837-1915 Marriage Index Vol.10a p.384 Auckland 1904 Q2

[4] 1911 census

[5] There are 3 named John Hepple born Auckland. England & Wales 1837-1915 Birth Index 1913Q3 Auckland: John E. Hepple, John W. born 1914Q1 & John W. born 1915Q1

[6] England & Wales Marriage Index 1916-2005 Auckland Vol.10a p.507

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