Joseph Boddy was born 1876 at Woodham. He was the son of Thompson Boddy and Jane Ann Bell. He was the twin of Thompson.

Thompson Boddy ran the "Hammers and Pincers" (Blacksmiths Arms) at Preston le Skerne as well as being a butcher.

In the 1911 census Joseph Boddy was still single, a butcher and still living with his parents and 5 brothers and sisters still at home out of 10 children.

Joseph married Elizabeth Margaret Longstaff in 1917 and had a son, John Robert Boddy in 1919.

Joseph served in the Durham Light Infantry.

In the Absnet Voters' List of October 1918 Joseph's address is theCounty Hotel, Aycliffe, and he is listed as Private 67365 R.D.C.

Joseph died in 1953 and is buried in St. Andrew's Churchyard.

William Anthony Boddy was born 1889 at Woodham, brother of Joseph above.

In the 1911 census William was 22, working as an assistant butcher for his father.

In a newspaper article in the Darlington & Stockton Times, August 15, 1959, William's life is reported in an article about the Hammer & Pincers. William was 70 and the third generation to hold the licence of the old beer house. His father Thompson had taken over in 1880 and William himself in 1933.

William spent most of his life there, apart from his service with the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and a few years at the Redworth Arms.

William bought the Hammer & Pincers in 1947 and made it a free house.

A medal card for a William Boddy has been found: Private 39202, Durham Light Infantry. He received the Victory and British War Medals.

William married Hannah Elizabeth Giggeson of Middridge in 1926.

William died 1968, and 2 years later his son Jim sold the Hammer & Pincers.

Photograph from Mrs Ida Hadrick

William Boddy, 1951

Courtesy Mrs Ida Hadrick