Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Robert Wesson was born November 1900 in Loftus, Yorkshire, the only surviving son of Thomas Wesson, native of Frodingham Lincolnshire born 1876 and Esther Cushion, born 1883, of Brotton, Yorkshire. Thomas migrated north, settling in Guisborough, Yorkshire where he met and married Esther in September 1898. They had 7 children of whom only three survived, John Robert and his two younger sisters, Amy and ivy, who were born in Pontefract. In 1911, still in Yorkshire, Thomas was working as a stone man shale shifter, later in 1911 the family had moved to the Chilton area and were living at 66, Arthur Street, Windlestone where Thomas continued to work as a stone man at Windlestone Colliery, John Robert only 11 at the time was a scholar.
At the time of his enlistment John Robert was also employed at Windlestone Colliery as a miner. He joined in Ferryhill, September 1st 1917 and is described as being 5 foot 2½ inches tall, brown hair, hazel eyes and fair skin. He was assigned the rank of Private 39946, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. John Robert was part of the army reserve until he received orders to mobilise April 4th 1918 although he still remained in England undergoing training. He was posted to the Regiment’s depot base in France August 17th 1918 where he remained until being assigned to the 9th Battalion West Riding Regiment September 15th 1918 and joined the regiment at the front 10 days later. On the day of his death the 9th Battalion was in the front line in an attempt to cross the river Selle. On the morning of October 12th at 1 a. m. the Battalion marched cross country and took up position 50 yards S. W. of the river Selle. At 5 a.m. they attacked in conjunction with the 12th Manchester Regiment in an attempt to take the high ground. They crossed the river Selle successfully and upon reaching the road encountered opposition S.W. of the village of Neuvilly. At 9 a. m. the enemy attack forced them back across the river Selle and during this attack they were very heavily shelled. There was a further heavy attack later in the day and by 23.00 hrs they received orders they were to be relieved by the 7th Liverpool Regiment which was complete by 3 am, October 13th, and they returned to billets.
It was during the events of October 12th 1918 that Private 39946 John Robert Wesson was killed in action. He is interred at Selridge British Cemetery, Montay, grave reference ll. D. 18, one mile north west of La Cateau, France. He was 18 years old and unmarried. His awards and personal effects were sent to his family who were living at 44 South View, Windlestone, Chilton. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His family commissioned at a cost of 18/4 (eighteen shillings and four pence) an additional dedication to be added to his military headstone. It reads, “Gone but not forgotten - forever remembered by his loving - father mother and sisters”.
Thomas Wesson died in County Durham, June 1937, his wife Esther in March 1955, preceded by her daughter Amy Boland nee Wesson in 1950. Ivy died 1977 in Anglesey, Wales, she was unmarried.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Robert Wesson is remembered at Chilton on C107.04, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039)
