Kimblesworth Churchyard

In
Affectionate Remembrance
of
John Joseph Moore
of Woodlands, Nettlesworth
He was headmaster for 37 years
at Kimblesworth School
Died September 20th 1918
Aged 58 years
And in
Affectionate memory
of his younger daughter
Elsie Mabel Moor
Who died December 19th 1933

The Chester-le-Street Chronicle17/05/1918 reports:-

The many friends of Mr John Moore head master for Kimblesworth School for 36 years will be delighted to learn of his return from military activities to take up his duties at this school again after an absence of three years. Mr Moore prior to the outbreak of war was an old Volunteer and captain in the National reserves. in August 1914, he joined the 9th Durhams and has been ever since actively engaged in matters military ever since. During this period three assistants from the school have joined and taken commissions, one having made the supreme sacrifice.

Chester-le-Street Chronicle 27/09/1918 reports:-

Quite a gloom was cast over the villages of Nettlesworth and Kimblesworth when the news gained currency that Mr J.J. Moore had passed away after only a week's illness from influenza followed by chronic pneumonia. The sad event occurred at his residence the "Woodlands" Nettlesworth, on Friday.

The deceased's last public function was to attend the annual meeting held on the 12th inst. of the Cuneceastre Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, Chester-le-Street for the installation, his military duties having prevented him attending the meetings for the past three years. He went to his school duties on the following day and feeling unwell, he returned home and was taken ill and died the week following.

The late Mr Moore had been quite a prominent figure throughout the district for the last 37 years. He was born at Eastgate, Weardale in 1860 and after serving at St. John's College York, he was appointed head schoolmaster at Kimblesworth being then only 21 years of age and for the long period of 37 years he has adorned his profession by turning out some right good men. He took a very active part in everything that appertained to the welfare of his village, whether it was football, cricket, gardening, flower shows - all were carried out under his supervision with a masterly hand.

He took a keen interest in the Volunteer movement at its inception and when the first corps was formed at Sacriston, he was the first Col. Sergt. under Col. (then Capt.) W.C. Blackett. he continued to act as Sergt. until the advent of the territorials. At the outbreak of the war he accepted a commission as a Lieut. in the Royal Defence Corps and served in this capacity for three years and up to July this year. The work of the St. John Ambulance was very dear to him and he spent much of his valuable time in inaugurating classes to forward its work. At the adjoining township of Sacriston he received a medallion in 1889 for his many years of service.

The deceased was a man of exceptional ability both in the elementary and science schools. In the latter he specialised in coal and metal mining and geology for which as a teacher he received the Queen's medal.

Mr Moore was an all round ardent sportsman and an experienced fisherman, having tried nearly all the rivers throughout the district. He spent much of his spare time in the pleasant pastime of the piscatorial art. No public object was mooted, not only in his village but throughout the district but it always met with his sympathetic aid and kindly assistance.

The deceased gentleman was an ardent Freemason, having been a member of Craft Masons, Royal arch Masons and Mark Masons and had occupied high offices in each branch. He was initiated in the Earl of Durham Lodge (12740 Chester-le-Street over 30 years ago, of which he was a P.M. and received the Provincial honour of Grand Organist. He was a member of the Concord Chapter of Durham and a founder of the Cuneceastre Chapter, Chester-le-Street being P.Z. of both Chapters. He was also a P.M. of Mark Masons. It was therefore most fitting that his keenness for Freemasonry should be crowned by a mason's internment.

The funeral took place on Sunday amidst every manifestation of sorrow and deepest regret. The procession - a very long one- proceeded from the late residence of the deceased The Woodlands, Nettlesworth to the Mission Church at Kimblesworth. Nearly 300 scholars walked reverently in front in charge of Mr Turnbull and Mr Davidson (Asst. Masters) together with Miss Gibb, Miss Rose, Mrs Raine and Mrs Dunn the respective head mistresses and teachers.

Then follows details of the mourners and funeral attendees. Six old scholars were the under bearers.

The service was fully choral with Miss Russell at the organ. The officiating clergymen were Rev. A. Watts, Rector of Witton Gilbert assisted by Rev. W.A. Elder, curate (who was in khaki and on a short leave of absence). The service opened with the hymn "Now the labourer's task is over" and the choir chanted the 39th Psalm. The lesson was read by Rev. W.A. Elder and the final hymn in the church was "Peace perfect Peace." Arriving at the grave, the committal part of the service was reverently recited by Rev. A. Watts. The Freemasons then sang "Days and Moments quickly flying" concluding their ritual. At the close each brother filed past the open grave, an impressive termination of a useful life spent in the service of mankind. A number of wreaths were deposited on the grave.

Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:

Honorary Lieutenant John Joseph MOORE
Grand Lodge records John MOORE
Royal Defence Corps
9th Battalion

The son of the late Thomas Moore and Anne Moore (nee Dixon). Baptised in Stanhope Parish 29th April 1960. He was a student at the Diocesan Training College, York (St. John’s 1880-1881). A Schoolmaster residing at Kimblesworth he was Initiated into the Earl of Durham Lodge No 1274 on the 4th May 1887 aged 27; Passed 11th June 1887 and Raised on the 6th July 1887 and was Worshipful Master in 1895.

In 1891 he is recorded as a schoolmaster living at Tan Hill, Plawsworth. In 1901 he was a Head Schoolmaster residing at 32 Woodlands Villa, Nettlesworth. Following the death of his wife in 1909 he is recorded as a School Head Teacher County Council again residing at Woodlands, Nettlesworth in 1911 and was the Head Teacher of Kimblesworth School.

At some point after 1911 he married Barbara Teinder Innes ??? (born 1864 died 8th November 1936 at Invergowrie, Scotland)

The ‘National Union of Teachers War Record 1914 – 1919’, indicates that he was a schoolmaster at Kimblesworth County School, a Lieutenant with the Durham Light Infantry. The London Gazette, dated 30th October 1917, records him, under the heading of ‘Royal Defence Corps, that, ‘The undermentioned Lieutenants’ … … J.J. Moore, from the R.D.C. to be Lieutenant and to retain seniority, 2nd November 1917.’ The London Gazette, dated 14th June 1918, records that ‘Lt. J.J. Moore relinquishes his commission on ceasing to be employed, and is granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant, 18th June 1918.’ He died on 20th September 1918 aged 58 (Death reference, quarter ending September 1918, aged 58 – Chester-le-Street 10a 684). The husband of the late Alice Nora Moore (nee Harrison) he is buried in St. Philip and St. James Churchyard, Kimblesworth, County Durham. He is recorded on the headstone at the grave of his wife at Eastgate Churchyard, Weardale, County Durham.

N.B. The Lodge Honours Board record a John Moore as W.M. There was a W.M. by the name of John J Moore in 1895 (Provincial Year Book 1918).

John Joseph Moore is remembered at Kimblesworth on K24.05 and on the Masonic Roll of Honour

There is no CWGC entry for Mr Moore.