I received this photograph from David Blanchard (subsequently touched up by Geoff Fynes) , the men are Davids Great Uncles, Tom and Sam Williams. Tom served in the Northumberland Fusiliers in the First World War and was taken prisoner in 1918. After the war he worked at Wheatley Hill pit until he retired in the 1970's. His older brother Sam, served in the Royal Navy in the First World War then ran a furniture shop on Hartlepool Street, Thornley. 
If anyone would like further information contact David at blanch@waitrose.com