John William Heatherington (1896-1917)
Labourer from Saint John's Chapel served with 15th and 2nd DLI
John William Heatherington was born on 22 April 1896, son of William and Jane Heatherington of Hood Street, St John’s Chapel. He had two sisters, Julia and Elizabeth, and one brother, Havlock. He was admitted to St John’s Chapel School on 18 March 1901.
By the time of the 1911 census he was 15 years old and working as a mason’s labourer.
He enlisted on 16 September 1914 in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), giving his occupation as farm labourer. He served with the 15th Battalion, and later, the 2nd Battalion.
He embarked for France with the Expeditionary Force in September 1915 and served there until he received minor wounds in the neck and shoulder in the summer of 1916. John was posted to England for medical treatment and then declared fit for light duties for three months. He returned to France in September 1916 to the 2nd Battalion, and was killed in action on 14 March 1917.
John William Heatherington is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France.
Some of his personal effects were returned to his family, including, letters, cards, a wallet, a purse, a belt, razor, photos and a pencil.
He was awarded the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star.
Civil Parish: Stanhope
Birth date: 22-April-1896
Death date: 14-March-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Bridge House, Saint John’s Chapel
Education: Saint John’s Chapel school
Employment: Mason’s labourer
Farm labourer
Family: Father: William Heatherington
Mother; Jane Heatherington
Sisters: Jilia and Elizabeth
Brother: Havlock
Military service:
Private, 15th and 2nd Battalions, Durham Light Infantry. Served in France, where he was killed in action.
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France
Saint John’s Chapel, village green, war memorial
Saint John’s Chapel, town hall, roll of honour
Gender: Male
Contributed by John B | Mel Brown
