By Sophia Charchalou (Work placement volunteer)
Follow me, a Classical Civilisation student from Durham University, on a mission to recover the history of my university city and the wider North-East.
During my 6-week work placement at The Story, assigned with the fascinating task of conducting research on a local figure, I have been able to make use of the unique facilities on-site. The Story, having opened just over 3 months ago, is an invaluable addition to the historical city of Durham. Housing collections in 5 different areas of interest (including County Durham archives, local studies, historic registration, Durham Light Infantry and the historic environment record), The Story caters for all kinds of interests and needs. Whether you are fascinated by history, like me, keen to get to know your local area better or inspired to discover more about your ancestry, The Story is for you.
Jimmy’s Story
James Francies Durham, also known as Jimmy Durham, was one of the figures who piqued my interest in the permanent exhibition on the ground floor. This space offers different insights into the 5 collections mentioned and a taste of the extensive archives stored behind the scenes. The stories available to discover are incredibly varied, including those of adult individuals such as the Aycliffe Angels (the women who had a crucial role in manufacturing ammunition) and also of children. Jimmy Durham is perhaps a more unconventional example of the latter, being noted for his African origins as well as the limited record of his own words.
Excited by the challenge to problem solve and piece together the parts of his narrative, The Story offered an opportunity for me to further pursue this interest, something which is unique for exhibition spaces. On the first floor, in ‘Search and Discovery’, The Story makes available various types of digital resources such as Ancestry, record archives as well as their own digitized collections. Through these materials, my understanding of Jimmy Durham grew, receiving insights into his affiliation with the Durham Light Infantry through a thorough exploration of digitized newspaper records.
From Egypt to Ireland
Mustapha, the original name of the figure in question, was abandoned by his mother during the Durham Light Infantry’s attack on the Dervish Army in the Battle of Ginnis (1885). Found on the bank of the Nile, the 2-year-old child was taken in by the 2nd Battalion Lieutenant, Henry de Lisle, and was raised collectively by the army as Jimmy (after the child’s first nurse, Sergeant James Birley). After his continued role within the 2nd Battalion, Jimmy eventually enlisted in the British Army as a bandsboy (named 6758 Boy James Francies Durham) and eventually returned to England, where he married a local blacksmith’s daughter. Whilst stationed in Ireland, Jimmy suffered from pneumonia and unfortunately passed at approximately the age of 27 (1910).
Back to Durham
Jimmy’s story is both a heart-warming tale of the selflessness of the Durham Light Infantry as well as a tragedy of a boy who lost his blood relatives.
The digital materials efficiently outline the specifics of his chronology, building up the foundation of his story. However, further resources in the ‘Collections Room’ further enriched my research, providing me with an alternative dimension of Jimmy’s life, clarified by his own perspective.
In a letter addressed to Stella Robson (the daughter of the Major who temporarily brought Jimmy into his home), Jimmy’s reciprocal affection for those who raised him is clear. He reveals that he is the godfather of Stella’s new-born and describes the loving relationship between him, the addressee and her family- specifically calling the wife of the Major his “mother”. Whilst initial research led me to question how Jimmy responded to being the “regiment pet” (a popular description of the child in 20th Century newspapers), material in the archives revealed his gratitude towards the Durham Light Infantry.
Beyond
Visit The Story to embark on your own journey. Whose story will you discover next?