Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Edward Hetherington was born February 19th 1897 in Craghead, County Durham, one of 11 children of whom only 8 survived, 7 boys and 1 girl, born to Charles Hetherington 1872 Addison, Blaydon, Durham and Mary Ann 1874 of Rigg Foot, Brampton, Cumberland. They were married in about 1892, ten years later they were living at 4 Hermon Square, Chester-le-Street where Charles was employed as a coal miner-hewer. John Edward at the age of 14, in 1911, was already working as a miner along with his elder brother George and their father, employed by Consett Iron Company, now living at 18, Townley Terrace, High Spen, Rowlands Gill. To subsidise their income, the family had boarders, the Nixon family consisting of William Nixon, who was also employed at the iron works, his wife and 2 children, 14 people in all in a four roomed house.
John Edward Hetherington enlisted giving his home address as 2 Ladysmith Terrace, Craghead. He was assigned to the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as Able Seaman Z/5337 Drake Battalion. Dispatched to France in 1916 the R.N.D. participated in the final phase of the Battle of the Somme advancing October 17th 1916 along the River Ancre to capture Beaumont which was officially captured by the evening, the Actions of Miraumont January-March 1917, Arras, Battle of Passchendaele, First Battle of Bapaume March 24-25th 1918.
With regards to the death of Private Hetherington there are contradictory documentations. The Royal Navy and Marine War Graves Roll states, “killed or died as a direct result of enemy action———grave not recorded. The C.W.G.C. states that the cemetery where he is at rest was made by the Germans and that plot VII contains the graves of Commonwealth prisoners, in fact all those listed on the burial schedule are from a vast variety of regiments.
Private John Edward Hetherington death is officially listed as March 30th 1918 and he is interred in Cambrai East Hill Cemetery, Department Nord, France, grave VII. A. 34. John Edward was 21 years old and single.
His father Charles received all dues along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to 8 Holmside Terrace, Craghead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Edward Hetherington is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
