John James Munro was born on the 5th November 1891, and baptised at St. Mary’s Church, Gateshead on the 9th December 1891. He was the eldest son of John and Mary Jane Munro, and the address given was 28 Greensfield Terrace, Gateshead. Father John (born in Liverpool) was employed as a Tailor.

The family can be found in the 1901 census at 19, Greensfield Street, Gateshead, and father John is now described as a 'Ladies Tailor'. In the 1911 Census parents John and Mary Jane are living with their eight children at Hood Street, Gateshead: John James born 1891, Nora born 1894, Joseph born 1896, Robert Cecil born 1898, Christian Frances born 1901, Sarah Eleanor born 1905, Gladys Jane born 1906 and Arthur Benjamin born 1910.

Also living in the household were father John’s widowed mother Catherine and his brother Duncan who was also working as a tailor.

Prior to the outbreak of WW1 John was employed at the Redheugh Gas Works and he had enlisted in the Territorials. In 1919 he was awarded the T.F.E. Medal (The Territorial Force Efficiency Medal), which is a long service award for other ranks in the Territorial Force. Qualification for the award was 12 years service, with war service counting double.

John served in the 1/9th Battalion Durham Light infantry, which was raised at Gateshead in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 17th April 1915, landing at Boulogne to join the 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. John’s medal card shows he arrived in France on the 20th April 1915.

John was a Lance Corporal (pre Territorial number 1016), and then embodied into the Regular Army, [Territorial Act 1907], then was promoted to Sergeant (renumbered 325025) and was attached to the 3rd Army Garrison at some point. The entry in the 1/9th Battalion War Diary for 12th November 1918 records the award of the Military Medal, which was given to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks for gallantry in action against the enemy. It was also announced in the London Gazette dated 17th June 1919.

The 1/9th Battalion saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres 1915, on the Somme in 1916, and at Arras and Passchendale in 1917. On the 12th February 1918 the Battalion converted to a Pioneer Battalion, and as such were called upon to perform engineering and construction tasks. It was, however, still used as a fighting infantry.

They returned to the Somme, fighting at Bapaume, the Second Battle of Arras, the Battle of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance in Picardy. The battalion is thought to have received the highest number of awards given to any battalion during the war.

John can be found in the absent voters list in 1918 at 2, Hood Street, Gateshead, where his brother Robert C. is also listed. Robert Munro had attempted to enlist into the Territorial Force for home service in the 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers giving his age incorrectly as 17 years and 8 months when he was actually 16 years and 8 months. Enlisting on the 4th August 1915, he was discharged under paragraph 392 II K. R. on the 23rd August 1915. (Having been irregularly enlisted) 4 feet 11 inches tall and 6 stone 9 lbs his physical development was described as “Fair” and his occupation was given as a miner. A reference is also made on his cancelled papers as having been claimed as an apprentice.

He is however listed in the absent voters list as a Private with the Northumberland Fusiliers, number 2720.

John was also awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1914/15 Star. On his return home in November 1919, he was presented with his Military Medal and also a silver watch from the local War Honours Committee. The event took place at the Empire Theatre, and ten Gateshead heroes were presented with their military decorations on the night.

John James Munro married Jane (nee Hardy) in 1920 at Gateshead. The family were living at Killowen Street, Low Fell when John died in 1959 age 67 years. He was survived by his wife Jenny and his three daughters Mary, Audrey and Doreen.

"Newcastle Evening Chronicle 09/12/1918:-

Mr. and Mrs. Munro, 2 Hood Street, Gateshead, have received news that their eldest son, Sergt. J. J. MUNRO, 9th D.L.I. has been awarded the Military Medal. Before the war he worked at the Redheugh Gas Works".

"Newcastle Evening Chronicle 13/12/1919 DECORATIONS FOR GATESHEAD HEROES.

Military decorations will be presented to ten Gateshead heroes on Saturday evening, at the first-house performance at the Empire Theatre. The function will take place under the auspices of the local War Honours Committee, which will follow its usual custom in handing each man a silver watch in addition to his medal. It is hoped that Captain Gatheral, who is in command of the cadre of the 9th D.L.I., which is expected to arrive in the borough shortly, will present the distinctions.

The names of the recipients are:-Private D. Cassidy, 49, Abbot Street, M.M.; Corporal J. E. Bowden, 50, Earl’s Drive, M.M.; Sergeant E. Atty, 5, Shipcote Terrace, M.S.M.; Sergeant J. Munro, 2, Hood Street, M.M.; Corporal J. Mitchell, 65, Leopold Street, M.M.; C.M.S. J. Aspinal, 6, Denmark Street, M.S.M.; Corporal J. Wasters, 35, Split Crow Road, D.C.M.; Gunner J. Emerton, 10, Redheugh Road, D.C.M. and bar; Private W. Hattle, 44, Southey Street, M.M.; Sergeant H. McCoy, 122, Rodsley Avenue, M.M."

"Newcastle Evening Chronicle 17/12/1919

Military Presentations at Gateshead.On Saturday evening, at the Gateshead Empire Theatre, military decorations were presented to ten Gateshead Heroes. Mr. Adam Dodds presided. Captain Gatheral presented the distinctions to – Gunner J. Emerton, R.F.A., D.C.M. and Bar; Corporal J. Masters, 9th D.L.I., D.C.M.; Quartermaster-Sergeant J. Aspinall, R.E., M.S.M.; Sergt. E. Atty, 9th D.L.I., M.S.M.; Pte. S. Cassidy, R.I., M.M.; Corpl. J. E. Bowden, N.H., M.M.; Sergt. J. Munro, 9th D.L.I., M.M.; Corpl. J. Mitchell, R.G.A., M.M.; Pte. W. Hattle, N.F., M.M.; Sergt. H. McCoy, So. Lancs, M.M. Each soldier was also presented with a silver watch from the War Honours Committee."

During the Second World War he joined the Home Guard, and was based in the Drill Hall at Burt Terrace, Gateshead.

"Newcastle Evening Chronicle 1959 MUNRO Low Fell, 17, Killowen Street. Aug. 28, aged 67 years, John James, dearly beloved husband of Jenny (nee Hardy) and much loved dad of Mary, Audrey, and Doreen. Interment Saltwell Cemetery on Tuesday 11 a.m. leaving residence 10.40 a.m. Friends please meet Cemetery. Deeply mourned."

With Thanks to Audrey and Jean Atkinson.

John James Munro died on the 28th August 1959.