Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/05/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Nee was born at Wrekenton, Gateshead, County Durham in 1881, one of 9 known children he was the youngest of 5 sons and 4 daughters. His parents Dudley and Ann Nee were both born at Galway, Republic of Ireland, in 1839. Their eldest daughter Ellen was also born in Ireland and they emigrated to England between 1862 and 1866, settling firstly at Jarrow near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, before moving to Ship Lane, Gateshead, by 1871.
Dudley Nee was employed as a coal miner and by 1881 they had moved to Hunter Square, Wrekenton, their daughter Mary Ann (16) was a potter’s labourer. Ann his wife is listed in the census of 1891 as living only with her children at 2, Bristoe’s Buildings Ship Lane supported by her son Stephen (17) employed as a coal miner, there is no entry for Dudley.
Unfortunately, Dudley Nee died April 4th 1896 at Gateshead, Ann was living alone at Fitter Street, Felling in 1901 as her children were all married with the exception of John who had moved to Usworth, near Washington, County Durham, having found work as a putter at the colliery, living as a boarder with the McGuire family at Pump Row. Ten year later, Ann had moved into the family home of her son Stephen at 1, Noble Street, Low Felling.
During the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1914, John, who had returned to Felling, married at Gateshead Isabella Richardson. During the months immediately after the declaration of war August 4th 28th 1914 many new battalions were raised from the wave of volunteers. John Nee enlisted November 1914 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, assigned as Private 502 to the 26th (Tyneside Irish), Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, one of the newly formed Pals Battalions. After initial training near home they joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915. After further training they were taken over by the War Office August 27th 1915 and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training before leaving for France in January 1916. The division concentrated near La Crosse east of St. Omer before moving to the Somme in time for the opening attack, planned for July 29th but delayed due to bad weather until July 1st 1916, at La Boisselle, part of the Battle of Albert.
At the first opportunity, when the battalion held roll call, Private Nee was reported as missing. After intensive investigation, during which his comrades would have been interviewed as to his whereabouts on the day, it was finally concluded, May 1917, that his presumed date of death be recorded as July 1st 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave. Private 26/502 John Nee Northumberland Fusiliers was 35 years old.
His widow Isabella received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their daughter, Ann, born during the 1st quarter(Jan/Feb/Mar) 1915 and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Their daughter Ann Nee died at Gateshead in 1918 aged 3 years. Isabella remarried in 1918 to Fred Arthur Ramshaw, with whom she had a daughter Elizabeth A. in 1919 and a son Matthew A. Ramshaw 1921-1970.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/5/1917 reports:
Private John Nee, N.F., of Felling, reported missing July 1st, 1916, now reported killed.
John Nee is remembered at Felling on F32.06
