Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
John, the son of Henderson and Mary Isabella (nee Heron) was born at Cornforth on October 16th 1895 and baptised the following month on 13 November. The couple had married in 1895, the marriage being registered at Stockton. The couple went on to have 4 children together all of whom survived childhood.
In 1901 the family lived in accommodation at Tursdale Colliery where father, Henderson, was a coalminer (deputy). His brothers Michael and Charles were also part of the household. There was another Price family living next to Henderson and his family who might have been his parents.
By 1911 son Alfred has been added to the household along with John Heron (boarder) but probably a relative of Mary Isabella who was named Heron before her marriage. Henderson was still working as deputy overman whilst his 15year old son John was a pony driver below ground.
John attested for service aged 19 years 3 months at Sunderland on January 18th 1915 then joined at Carlisle on the 20th. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion then transferred to the 1st. By August 11th 1915 he was posted again but this time to the MEF where he stayed until December 3rd 1915. He was from December 4th 1915 at the depot until once again with the 1st as from March 24th 1916.
His personal details were recorded as being a miner by trade, he was 5’7” tall, weighing 152lbs and was considered to have good physical development with made him eligible for overseas duty.
John embarked for France September 14th 1915. He was killed in action on July 1st 1916 which was the first day of the Somme offensive.
Monies due to him were allocated to his father. They amounted to £1.14.9d plus a later war gratuity of £6.0.0d
Medals:- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
John William Price is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and C115.03 and at Tursdale on T62.02
