Heslop's Weekly Advertiser 24/08/1917

John George Gardiner was born at Felling Shore, Gateshead, County Durham, in 1895, he was the eldest born of 2 sons and had 4 sisters. His father John Gardiner was born in 1864 also at Felling Shore and married in 1888 Elizabeth Kennethan native of Heworth born 1866. John and Elizabeth had a daughter who was born four years before they were married named Mary (1884). Working as a general labourer in 1891 John Snr and family were living at 8, Tyne Street, Felling and where they were still living in 1901, Mary now aged 17 was a dressmaker’s apprentice. Elizabeth Gardiner nee Kennethan died between 1901 and 1911, in 1911 her widowed husband was living at Brewery Lane Felling. He was still working as a labourer at the shipyards, whilst John George (16) was the only other breadwinner, employed as a colliery labourer, his elder sisters had all married and left home, Catherine (14), Frank (12) and Isabella (11) were scholars. In the run up to the commencement of WW1 John Jnr was working for the Holzapfel Paint Works situated in Tyne Street. (Max Engelbert Adoph Holzapfel who had previously been the German consul in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and became a naturalised British subject in 1887, was the Chairman in 1914, over time the company expanded worldwide and became known as International Paint).

John George enlisted when war broke out in 1914, assigned as Private 12970 to the Durham Light Infantry, battalion unknown. Training completed he departed to France, September 23rd 1915.

The battalions raised by the Durham Light Infantry served overseas during WW1 on the Western Front at Ypres in Belgium, in France at Loos, Arras, Messines, Cambrai, on the Somme and again in Belgium at Passchendaele.

Private Gardiner was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his brave actions during the Battle of Transloy Ridge, October 1st-13th 1916 where the Regiment captured Eaucourt L’Abbaye, Le Sars and attacked on the Butte at Warlencourt. The citation published in the London Gazette July 9th 1917 reads as follows, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst assisting to bring in a wounded officer from “No Man’s Land” he was himself severely wounded. He placed the officer under cover and remained out with him until assistance arrived”.

Private 12970 John George Gardiner D.C.M. Durham Light Infantry survived the conflict of WW1.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Heslop's Weekly Advertiser 20/07/1917 reports the award of the D.C.M. to: Pte. J.G. Gardiner. >

Private J.G. Gardiner, D.L.I., second son of Mr. J. Gardiner, 9 Victoria Terrace, Felling, has been awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous bravery of the field.

Heslop's Local Advertiser 24/08/1917 reports:

Felling Shore's D.C.M.

An interesting presentation was made at Holzafpel's Institute, Felling Shore, on Wednesday night, Pte. J.G. Gardner, D.L.I., being the recipient of a gold chain and medal, and a wallet containing treasury notes, subscribed by the management, employees and a few friends of the firm with whom he was employed before he enlisted in 1914. Private Gardner won the D.C.M. at Le Sars last year.

Arrangements are being made for an early presentation of Pte. Gardner's medal by a military officer at the Imperial Hall on Friday evening next.

His name is spelt both Gardiner and Gardner.