In Roclincourt Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, is the Commonwealth War Grave of 20/1049 Private Peter Mackin, serving with the 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 09/04/1917.
In Blyth (Cowpen) cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
In
loving memory of
a beloved mother
Annie Mackin
died 7th April 1933
aged 52 years
dear wife of
Peter Mackin
Pvte. 2011049,
24th (Tyneside Irish) Bn.
Northumberland Fusiliers
killed at the Battle of Arras
9th April 1917
aged 38 years
and interred at
Roclincourt, France
Dorothy Hall has submitted the following:
Peter, the son of Irish born Michael and Mary Ann Mackin, was born in Gateshead in 1878. In 1881 and 1891 the family were at 15 Shiney Row Wallsend. Peter was in 1891 a shipyard apprentice. In 1901 the family were at John Street Hebburn and Peter was a Shipyard Labourer. In 1911 Peter aged 33 years was at 21 Madison Street Blyth, he was still a Shipyard labourer and was married to Anne aged 29 with two young children Michael aged 3 and Peter 10 months. Anne and Peter had been married four years.
Peter Mackin originally enlisted in the 20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and was wounded at the Somme on the 1st July 1916. After recovering from his wounds he was transferred into the 1st (Tyneside Irish), 24th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Tony Harding was told by a family member that Peter was a local footballer. A search of the British Library Newspaper Archive by Dorothy Hall November 2014 revealed some of his story.
Shields Daily Gazette 13/06/1899:
Official list of players for Hebburn Argyle AFC includes Peter Mackin.
Shields Daily Gazette 26/12/1899:
Peter Mackin has been transferred from Hebburn Argyle to Sunderland. The Argyle Club received 75, and Mackin 10 down, 3 a week, 1 bonus each win and 10 shillings each draw.
Hull Daily Mail 12/05/1905:
The Lincoln City Directors have signed on Peter Mackin of the Wallsend Park Villa Club for next season. Mackin played two seasons ago for Sunderland A and was on that clubs league list. He goes to Lincoln as part of the bargain for the transfer of Dennis ODonnell to the Wearsiders. Negotiations are proceeding for the transfer of other two players on Sunderlands list in connection with ODonnells engagement.
Lincolnshire Echo 16/03/1907:
Peter Mackin received a nasty rick to the muscles of his knee during the first half of the game at Gainsborough last Saturday.
Morpeth Herald 24/03/1911:
The Terriers have won the Tynemouth Infirmary Cup. Peter Mackin has received it for three years in succession. Twice he captained Blyth to victory in the final. On Saturday Wilson the Terriers skipper did a graceful act when he stood back and allowed the Veteran to once again have the honour.
Morpeth Herald 14/04/1911:
Peter Mackin the veteran forward of Bedlington United who has the distinction of having captained winning sides in three successive seasons for the Tynemouth Infirmary Cup as well as for the Championship of the Northern Alliance has been presented with his portrait by his admirers in Blyth.
Morpeth Herald 06/09/1912:
Ashington football team includes Peter Mackin (Blyth, Bedlington and Newburn)
Morpeth Herald 18/05/1917:
Official news has been received at Blyth that Peter Mackin of Tyneside Irish has been killed in action. Private Mackin was for several years the doyen of local football followers. He leaves a widow and family of young children
Morpeth Herald 21/09/1917:
A football benefit match for the widow and family of Peter Mackin famous local footballer who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday takes place this weekend.
Spartan Ladies team:- L. James, H. Malone, N. Fairless, A. Sample, M. OBrien, B. Metcalfe, A. Read, H. Cornaby, B. Reay, D. Allen and J Nuttall
Morpeth Herald 28/09/1917:
Mrs Askwith wife of County Councillor A.A. Askwith of Blyth kicked off in a football match at the Croft Park found Blyth in aid of the widow and family of the late Private Peter Mackin an old footballer who was killed in action. The players were Wallsend Slipway and Blyth Munition girls but no goals were scored.
Peter’s brother Thomas also died in the Great War.
Peter Mackin is remembered at Blyth on B42.21 as Macklin and B42.24
He is also remembered in the Footballers killed in the First World War entry.
