John William Tymon 1885 to 1933

John William Tymon

John William Tymon was born on 24 February 1885 in

Cottam near Driffield. When he was born his birth

certificate recorded him as John William Bean the son of

Mary Bean. It was not until 29 January 1887 that Mary

married William Tymon and John William then took his

surname. Whether he was actually the biological son of

William, we'll never know but in my opinion, for what its

worth he was his 'real' father - and I'm sticking to that!

In the 1891 census John William is described as living at

48 Sandringham Street in Scarborough aged 6 with his

father William (a Cab Driver), his mother Mary and his 3

year old sister Minnie.

RG12/3963 Folio 53 Page 58

By the time of the 1901 census John William Tymon has become a Barber's Apprentice aged 16 and still living at 48 Sandringham Street with William, Mary and Minnie. They also have a boarder with them called John Robinson. William is now working as an Auctioneer's Van Man.

RG13; Piece: 4529; Folio: 64; Page: 19.

John William married Daisy Sedman on 31 January 1910 at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Scarborough. In that same year King Edward VII died with George V becoming King. 1910 also saw the death of Florence Nightingale.

Daisy was the daughter of John William Sedman and Ellen (Nelson) and was born on 11 November 1889. John William and Daisy had five sons; William Stephen, Edwin, Laurence, Dennis and Reginald.

First World War 1914 -1919

John William fought in France in the

First World War and Served with the

Scarborough Pals Battery 161st Brigade

RFA. Pals Batteries were common in

WW1. They consisted of soldiers from

the same area who were recruited with

the promise that they would serve

together. The Scarborough Pals was

formed on the outbreak of war in August

1914 and was part of the L Brigade of

the 9th Division.

For his role in the War, John William

was awarded three medals;

The British War Medal 1914 - 1920,

The Victory Medal 1914 - 1919, and

the 1914 - 15 Star.

After the War he returned to his Barber's

business on Castle Road (number 6b) in

Scarborough.

John William was a leading light in the local football scene in Scarborough being the secretary of the Scarborough league and also acting as a referee.

Towards the end of his life John William spent some months in St Mary's Hospital (formerly on Dean Road in Scarborough) and his son Dennis told me of how his sons were rarely allowed to visit and had to settle for peering through the fence at him on days when he was allowed outside.

A touching tribute to John William appeared in the Scarborough Mercury on Friday 16 June 1933 a week after his death. It read:

FORMER FOOTBALL OFFICIAL

Scarborough Wednesday League Secretary for Years

DEATH OF MR. J. W. TYMON

We regret to record the death, which occurred on Friday last, of Mr. John W. Tymon, of 73 Murchison Street, at the early age of 48 years.

News of the death of Mr. Tymon will be received with much regret amongst a very wide circle of friends, more especially in the realm of local football and of that of the Wednesday League in particular. He took an interest in the League from its early days and became its honorary secretary in the season 1909-10, succeeding Mr. Harry Cape, one of the founders, in that office. He continued to give his services out of genuine love of the work right up to suspension of activities on the outbreak of the war, and it was largely owing to his keenness that the League was in such a healthy state as it had reached at that time. After the war Mr. Tymon resumed his work for the League and continued this until he was stricken with a sudden illness about two years ago.

He was for many years a member of the Council of the Scarborough and District F.A., and was also well known as a capable referee, his services, as such, being frequently called upon at one time.

Mr. Tymon was a popular member of the Scarborough Pals’ Battery 161st Brigade R.F.A., and served in France with the battery. His death will be regretted by those of his comrades who survived.

Mr. Tymon was a hairdresser, and after demobilisation carried on business on his own account.

On the same day a letter appeared from a Mr. Fred Hurd which made a correction to the obituary notice, and also gave a bit more information on John William and makes it clear how popular he was in local football circles.

CORRESPONDENCE

WEDNESDAY LEAGUE AND OFFICIALS

Sir, - As an old Wednesday League official, I read with deep regret of the death of Mr. J.W. Tymon, a former secretary of the Wednesday Football League. If ever there was a sportsman “Johnny” (as he was popularly called), was one. His heart and soul were in his work, and he will be much missed. His place will be hard to fill, as his advice was always available when asked for.

In connection with his obituary notice, may I point out a slight error. It states that he succeeded Mr. Harry Cape as secretary in 1910. This is not so, as you will see by the fixture card enclosed, that I was acting secretary at that time, and, I may add, for four years before that time. I took over the job from Mr. Cape and Mr. Tymon took it over from me. I was one of those present at the first meeting, held at the London Inn Cafe.

In the last season I was secretary, well over 300 players were registered with me. The registration forms provided a useful help towards finances. It was an uphill struggle, but the League pulled through, and it is in a flourishing state today, thanks to the late Mr. Tymon and the present acting secretary, who is doing his work very well indeed. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Yours etc.,

FRED HURD