John William Keenleyside, was, of his surviving siblings, the eldest of 3 sons and had 1 elder and 1 younger sister, (1 deceased gender unknown). His father Edward, true birth name Underwood, mother Jane Underwood, was born March 3rd 1864 at Alston, Cumberland, and baptised by his mother, March 30th. Taken in to the home of William and Sarah Ann Keenleyside of Alston, Edward Snr, at the age of 7 is listed in the census of 1871 under the surname Underwood, but by 1881 as Keenleyside.
The Keenleyside family had left Cumberland and settled by 1871 at Lambley, Northumberland, living at Herdly Terrace, Edward (17) had joined William Keenleyside at the colliery both employed as coal miners. Between 1881 and 1891 they moved to the parish of Medomsley, County Durham, where they occupied 14, Prospect Terrace in the village of Hamsterley Colliery, which provided a place of work for Edward (27), William and his younger son Tom (13).
Edward Keenleyside was married, May 20th 1893, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, to local girl Hannah Johnson, born 1870, their daughter Sarah Annie was born later that same year at Haydon Bridge, John William, December 1st 1896, Hamsterley Colliery, County Durham, as were Eddie, during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1899 and Mary Jane, December 27th 1901, at 2, Prospect Terrace. Edward continued to support his family working as a coal hewer, they had moved into 3 rooms at 2, Prospect Row, by 1911 and he had been joined at the colliery by John William (14), a pony driver underground. Eddie (12) and Mary Jane (9) although of school age are not listed as such, Sarah Annie (17) remained at home assisting her mother with the upkeep of the household and the care of her youngest sibling, Arthur (2), born July 2nd 1908.
John William served during WW1 as Private 78579 Keenleyside, one of almost 500,000 men who volunteered after the declaration of war between August 4th and the end of September 1914 who were assigned to newly formed battalion raised by all regiments. Private Keenleyside joined the 11th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers part of Kitchener’s New Armies created during September 1914, attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The main body of the regiment departed during August 1915, Private Keenleyside did not join them until post January 1916, exact date unknown.
The 11th Battalion N.F. landed at Boulogne, making its way with the division to the Merris-Vieux Berlin area where it received further training from the 20th and 27th Divisions in trench warfare, taking over the front line, September 14th 1915 from Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road. March 3rd 1916 they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy as in 1915 the Italians had joined the Allies declaring war on Austria. The 23rd Division concentrated between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello, December 4th 1917. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau which was quiet until the Austrians attacked in force from Grappa to Canova in the Battle of Asiago, June 15th and 16th 1918. At the Italian Armistice, 3 p.m., November 4th 1918 the 23rd Division was midway between the River Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place during January and February 1919, beginning with servicemen who were deemed to be suffering from illness. Private 78579 John William Keenleyside Northumberland Fusiliers having returned to England was discharged, February 11th 1919. Suffering from rheumatism he initiated a claim to receive an Army pension, after an examination this was refused on the grounds it could not be attributed to, neither had his condition been aggravated by, his military service. Awards British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Whilst serving in Italy John William would have received the news that his younger brother, Private Edward Keenleyside London Regiment, had been killed in action, May 30th 1918.
In 1922 he was married in the district of Lanchester, County Durham to Sarah Jane Childs born at Blackhill, May 10th 1898, daughter of unmarried mother Mary Childs who married Thomas Wells in 1899. John and Sarah Jane had 2 known children, Gwyneth in 1923, Clive H. Keenleyside in 1934 and were living at 14, Bradley Bungalows, Leadgate, Durham, in 1939, John William worked below ground at the colliery as a stoneman.
John William’s mother Hannah Keenleyside nee Johnson (59) had died March 24th 1929 in the district of Houghton, County Durham, Edward Keenleyside (80), died September 20th 1944, Durham North.
John, his wife and children all moved to Nottinghamshire, John William Keenleyside (82) died in the district of Mansfield in 1979 as did Sarah Jane nee Childs (96) in 1994 and daughter Gwyneth Blease nee Keenleyside (94) in 2018. Further details unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
