Cairns, William John
When William Cairns lived in 7 Percy Terrace in 1939 he was headmaster of Bellingham Council School. He was born in Bedlington on 29 November 1903. He was the son of John and Annie Douglas Cairns. His father, in 1911 was a miners’ agent but later became the member of parliament for Morpeth, whilst retaining his role as an agent for miners. In 1911 and 1921 the family were living at 16 The Drive, Gosforth and in the latter year William was studying part-time at school but also working in a chemist’s shop in Jesmond Road, Newcastle. Whether he studied further or was employed is unclear but in the second quarter of 1927 he married Lydia Longstaff in Tynemouth. (There is a record in the Shields Daily News of 28 September 1932 of a William John Cairns of Armstrong College, Newcastle satisfying the examiners in Economics, French and Accounting in the Diploma in Commerce.) A more definite newspaper report is found in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of 18 October 1937 where it is stated “Mr William John Cairns of Fawdon has been appointed headmaster of Bellingham Council School.” In 1939 William and Lydia were living in 7 Percy Terrace where besides his school commitment William was (A)RP leader, First Aider and ambulance driver. His widowed mother, Annie was living with them. There is a redacted entry and also a fourteen-year-old girl, Nancy Boggon is in the household. William died on 23 May 1966 in Hexham General Hospital where his address is given as Dunvegan, Percy Terrace. Administration of his £2,899 estate was granted to Lydia Cairns on 5 October.