Chester-le-Street Chronicle 1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Pounder was born November 10th 1892 the son of John Pounder Snr., he lived at 11 Fawcett Terrace Craghead.
John enlisted January 20th 1915 assigned as Able Seaman Z/3554, Drake Battalion Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. After training he was shipped as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force attached to the 63rd Division, September 9th 1915, first to Egypt and then serving in the Battle of Gallipoli. British troops were evacuated from Gallipoli, the R.N.V.R. was sent to France where it participated in the final phase of the Battle of the Somme advancing along the River Ancre to capture Beaucourt. The battle began in the early hours of November 13th 1916. The platoons crawled across no man’s land towards the German line but despite additional cover sustained significant casualties although by the end of the day Beaucourt had officially been captured.
It was during this day battle, November 13th 1916, that Able Seaman Z/3553 John Pounder R. N. V. R. was killed or died as a direct result of enemy action, he is interred at Ancre British Cemetery, Somme, France, grave III. A. 27.
John died two days after his 24th birthday and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Pounder is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04