[Thomas Jordan spent his childhood in Usworth, County Durham, a colliery village. He attended school in nearby  Washington Village, aged three- fourteen and then worked as a pit boy before joining the army]. 

The school I attended was a church school. The school marm was a very capable lady. Although she gave copious doses of religious doctrine she also gave you a great deal of learning […] Her teaching of singing and dancing was very high. The school concerts and pantomimes she organised drew people from all sections of the village to see them. All my praise for her devotion to her calling.