Chester-le-Street Chronicle 1915
R.E Communal Cemetery, West Vlaanderen
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John (Jack) Bristo(e) was born 1883 in Frizington, Cumberland, one of 8 known children, 4 boys and 4 girls. His father Thomas Bristoe of Lamplough Hill, Cumberland was born July 18th 1856, an iron ore miner by trade, his mother was Sarah Thompson born April 26th 1856 in Hensingham, Cumberland. Thomas and Sarah were married July 1879 in Whitehaven and lived at Brow Foot, Frizington in 1891. John’s mother died when he was 19 years old, December 26th 1896 in Frizington.
Thomas Bristoe remarried December 14th 1901 to the widow Jane Oxford in Arlecdon, Cumberland. Jane who was born 1865 in Frizington worked as a char-woman to support her three daughters from her previous marriage.
In 1900 John Bristoe was working as an iron ore miner employed by Salter Mining Company of 48 Millshill, Darlington when he decided to enlist in the British Army. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion Border Regiment, (service number unknown) serving from February 6th 1900 until July 26th 1901 re-enlisting March 3rd 1901 until June 2nd 1902, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion at their depot at Carlisle Castle. The outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War in 1899 found the British Army overstretched, the 1st Battalion was one of many “home service” units sent to fight in South Africa. The Battalion saw action at Colenso and Spion Kop as part of the campaign to relieve Ladysmith. During his service he was awarded the Queen’s Medal and earned four bars for his services.
Discharged in 1902 John returned to his father’s home in Cumberland where he met and eventually married Elizabeth Matthews Rogers in December 1903, the young couple went to live with his father. In 1911 John, his wife, their three children, John’s father and three siblings were all living at 48 Mill Street, Frizington, Cumberland. He enlisted once again in the Army May 4th 1911 in Frizington, assigned as Private 1327 5th Battalion Border Regiment but must have been a reservist as he later moved to Craghead where he worked for Messrs Hedley Brothers, Craghead Colliery.
Mobilised, Private John Bristoe embarked for France at Southampton, October 25th 1914, landing at La Havre. The 5th Battalion Border Regiment was sent to the Lines of Communication where May 5th they were attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division and fought on the Western Front for the duration of the war. Private 1327 John Bristoe was killed in action July 1st 1915, his comrades buried him on the battlefield, “ 33 paces W of SW corner of R. E. Farm Communal Cemetery near Wulverghem”, followed by map references. His body was later exhumed and moved into the R. E Communal Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, south of Ypres, Belgium, as it is laid out now, grave II. C. 3.
His widow Elizabeth living at 53, Bloemfontein Terrace, Craghead, had returned to her his kit and personal belongings consisting of; identity disc, watch and chain with medal attached, Testament, letters, 3 photos, purse and 1 pipe. She also received all monies due to him, a pension of 22 shillings 6 pence a week for herself and their four children along with his awards of the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Elizabeth informed the War Office in January 1916 that she was moving back to Cumberland and gave her new address as 31, Mill Street, Frizington.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Bristo is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
