The Sandersons of Eastfield
 

In February at the National Archives I picked up the service records of the two Sanderson brothers of Eastfield Hall, both army officers, who lost their lives in the Great War. I was going to write something on here about these two, - nothing earth shattering as the NA files have been purged, but I might be able to get a few paragraphs together.

I have also had a dig about for some more general history of the family. Their grandfather John Sanderson of Newcastle owned the Haymarket Brewery in Newcastle. This became a family business; 'Sanderson and Sons', but in 1896 they sold out to Newcastle Breweries Ltd. Newcastle Breweries had been gobbling up many of the smaller breweries across Newcastle at that time. A considerable sum of money was involved, Newcastle Breweries having to issue new stock at the time to fund the purchase. Shortly after the acquisition the Haymarket Brewery was demolished and the new offices, or 'HQ' of the Newcastle Breweries was built on the site, and that is the building you see today opposite the Haymarket bus station. At least part of the building is now occupied by Newcastle University.

John Sanderson's son, William John Sanderson, has been mentioned a few times on here, recently in the Amble Rifle Range thread. He was Sheriff of Newcastle 1901-02, and Lord Mayor of Newcastle in 1907.

William John Sanderson's grave is in Warkworth cemetery (died 1929), together with his wife Amelia (AKA 'Amy'). He left an inflation adjusted £5 million in his will.