Person

John Stoker was born in Sunderland on 5 September 1898. His father was Ralph Stoker (1876-1915), a coal miner from Ryhope. His mother was Margaret Ann “Annie” Stoker nee Curry (1874-1949), a colliery labourer’s daughter from Hetton. His parents married in 1897 and had seven children, made up of four boys and three girls. In 1901 the Stoker family lived at 56 Thomas Street, Ryhope. By the time of the 1911 census they had moved to 111 Hood Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. John’s father Ralph joined the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) after the outbreak of war. He served as Private 2933 in 1/7 Battalion DLI. He was recorded missing in action presumed dead on 26 May 1915 and was honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Coal miner John joined the Royal Navy on 16 June 1917 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He was initially rated as a stoker 2nd class and given the service number K43302. He was rated stoker 1st class on 26 January 1918. His service record shows “Run” the Navy term for desertion on 6 March 1918 for which he was sentenced to 60 days detention. He re-entered service on 6 May 1918 and joined the crew of the monitor HMS Glatton on 31 August 1918. Glatton suffered an internal explosion of her midships magazine in Dover Harbour on 16 September 1918 and was scuttled to put out the fire. A total of 60 crew were killed outright. John was one of 124 men injured and one of the 19 who later died from their injuries.

John died on 25 September 1918 and his body was returned to be buried in Mere Knolls Cemetery, Sunderland. There is an inscription on his headstone which reads “Peace Perfect Peace”. John Stoker was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

For more information on HMS Glatton:
http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sinking-and-raising-of-hms-glatton.html

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 05-Sep-1898

Death date: 25-Sep-1918

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 56 Thomas Street, Ryhope (1901 census)
111 Hood Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner (1917 Royal Navy service record)

Family: Parents: Ralph Stoker (1876-1915), Margaret Ann “Annie” Stoker (1874-1949)
Siblings: Mary Jane Stoker (1900-1901), William Stoker (b 1902), Isabella Stoker (b 1904), George C Stoker (b 1906), Robert Stoker (b 1908), Ruth Stoker (b 1909)

Military service:

K43302
Stoker 2nd class, 16 June 1917
26 January 1918
Royal Navy
HMS Glatton, 31 August 1918

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Mere Knolls Graveyard, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland (grave A.4865.25)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham