Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
John was the son of Thomas William and Margaret Emma (nee Atley) who was born at Tursdale in 1892. The couple married in 1888, the marriage being registered at Stockton. The couple went on to have five children all of whom survived childhood. The children were named John, Annie, Martha, Sarah and Philip.
In 1901 The family was living at Tursdale Colliery where their father was a coal miner/hewer
B 1911 The family very much as before. Staying with them on census night was a nephew, Thomas Wears. At this time John was working as a lamp cleaner.
John attested at Bishop Auckland on November 9th 1914 and joined at Beverley the following day for war service. His records show him to be a miner by trade. He was 5’7” tall, weighing 128 lbs with a, sallow complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes. His physical development was good.
Following training he was posted to France on August 2nd 1915.
He was wounded in the field on November 5th 1916 by a gunshot wound to his left shoulder (a flesh wound), for which he was hospitalised until December 21st 1916. He was original treated at the Corps Dressing Station before being transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station. Then he was sent aboard the Hospital Ship Panama from Etaples for home.
When he had recovered he embarked with the B.E.F. March 16th 1917 from 3rd (Res) Battalion being posted to the 7th Battalion, East Yorkshires.
Within 2 months, when serving with the 7th, he was reported missing. His death was noted as being on or since May 12th 1917 presumed killed in action.
After his death his mother wrote to the authorities asking for any of her son’s possessions, however small, be returned to her. Some photos and letters were apparently handed over to an orderly at the time of his after his death but not returned to his family.
His total war service amounted to 2 years 185 days.
Monies due to him amounting to £14.04.0d went to his sole legatee, his mother Margaret. Later a war gratuity of £11.10.00d was added.
Medals :- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
John William Pyburn is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and C115.03 and at Tursdale on T62.02
