John Mason Mennear (1892-1969)
From Hetton le Hole, served with 87th Training Reserve Battalion DLI
Born in Hetton le Hole, County Durham, in 1892, John “Jack” Mennear was the son of Alfred Mennear, a travelling draper, and his wife, Alice. On the 1911 Census, the family was recorded as living at 15 Station Road, Hetton le Hole, and John, who had four brothers and one sister, was working as a school teacher for Durham County Council.
It is not known when John Mennear joined the British Army, or even if he ever saw active service overseas, but in October 1916 he was serving as a Sergeant Instructor in Hornsea with a Reserve battalion. In September 1916, the 21st (Reserve) and 23rd (Reserve) Battalions of the DLI had been formed into the 87th Training Reserve Battalion. The purpose of this new battalion was to train conscripts for active service overseas.
Nothing more is known of John Mennear’s life and he died in 1969.
Civil Parish: Hetton le Hole
Armed force/civilian: Army
Organisation membership: 87th Training Reserve Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Employment: School teacher, Durham County Council (1911 Census).
Family: 1911 Census: Alfred J Mennear (father); Alice (mother); Ernest, Alfred, Reginald and Wilfred (brothers); and Gladys (sister).
Military service:
68184 Sergeant, 87th Training Reserve Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer
