So just who is included on this web site?
To be included on this Tipton site, the person must have satisfied one of a number of criteria.
- Listed on a Tipton War Memorial
- Born in Tipton
- Resident in Tipton
Let's examine these criteria - but bear in mind that this is not a precise science.
Listed on a Tipton War Memorial
If a person is commemorated on a War Memorial in Tipton, they are included.
Not every Tipton casualty was commemorated on a Tipton War Memorial. Some families would have moved away, some died, and some not heard of the appeal for names to be added to a memorial. Quite a number of men are commemorated on multiple memorials, with Bert Hope appearing on four!
There were no set rules for inclusion on a memorial, just that someone put the name forward. This means that some names are included where the Tipton link is tenuous. This is especially so with some church-based memorials where it is likely that a member of the congregation put forward a name of a relative who was not born or resident in Tipton.
Let's be generous, they are welcome to be remembered here.
Born in Tipton
When a person was born in Tipton, then they are certainly included.
Due to population movement, this includes people subsequently resident in places other than Tipton. This includes all corners of Britain, and emigrants to far-flung America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Resident in Tipton
When a person was resident in Tipton, then they are included.
This category is less precise and more open to interpretation. This generally means resident in Tipton at the time of joining the armed forces, and the data is mostly acquired from 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' as published by HMSO in 1921, and today available as a searchable CD.
People moved to Tipton mostly because of work or marriage. Most of these 'incomers' were from neighbouring towns notably West Bromwich, Dudley and Wednesbury, however there were men from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. There were even men born in Jersey and Burma (fathers in the army), and a single Russian living in Great Bridge (Henri Labais).
The problem with Tipton...
It sounds easy doesn't it? To commemorate those Tipton folks who died in the Great War.
The first question is what do we take as being Tipton? Tipton people discussing their 'roots' may talk of localities: Tipton Green, Princes End, Ocker Hill, Toll End, Great Bridge, Horseley Heath, Dudley Port, and Burnt Tree. Even smaller communities may be mentioned: Lost City, Tibbington, Bloomfield, and Little Burton.
These are all clearly Tipton, but the problem lies with borders.
Princes End shares a border with Coseley, Ocker Hill with Wednesbury, Burnt Tree with Dudley. When asked to fill in their place of birth for the census or an army form, people didn't show too much concern for this project and over the years gave different answers - born Coseley in 1901 but by 1911 born Tipton!
Great Bridge and Tividale are even more difficult - the border between Tipton and West Bromwich runs through the middle of Great Bridge; similarly the border between Tipton and Oldbury through Tividale. Just saying born Great Bridge does not tell if this person was Tipton or West Bromwich.
In summary
A simple rule has been adopted. If there is any doubt whether a man should be included, then err on the side of caution and include him. They are welcome to be remembered here.