Heslop's Local Advertiser
Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Laws born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894 was the only son of George Laws native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne born 1865 and Elizabeth Bell born 1872 at Felling, they were married at Gateshead in 1893. Elizabeth died aged 23 years in 1895 when John was barely 1-year-old, After her death George and John lodged with widower William Dickinson and his 6 children at 10 Elsdon Street, Felling. Presumably William’s elder daughters Catherine and Alice took care of all the younger children including John. George Laws was employed as a colliery labourer below ground and remarried at Gateshead in 1911 to Margaret Scott, John Laws remained in the household of William Dickinson who was now living at 15, George Street, Felling, now aged 17 he was employed as a bottle washer.
On the outbreak of war he enlisted at Bedlington, Northumberland assigned as Private 1074, 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The 20th Battalion, one of 4 battalions, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, were raised at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Having left Newcastle they were billeted in the grounds of Alnwick castle, Northumberland where they stayed for most of 1915 for training, they did not arrive in France until January 1916 joining the 34th Division after a period of trench training to familiarise them for front line duty.
By the end of June they were near the town of Albert, just north of the village of La Boisselle. It was here that they participated during the opening Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916.
Private 20/1074 John Laws was killed in action July 1st 1916, aged 22 years. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names of officers and servicemen from Britain and South Africa inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating those who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave.
His father George received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 17/11/1916:
"Private John Laws, N.F., killed in action, July 1st. Son of George and the late Elizabeth Laws, step-son of Margaret Laws, of Felling."
John Laws is remembered at Felling F32.07
