John Dourish was born on the 13th February 1874, at Leonard's Court, Gateshead, and baptised on the 8th March 1874 at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Gateshead, to James and Jane Dourish, they had six children, James, born 1872, married Sarah Ann Grainger, Robert Francis, born 1876, married Catherine Maddison, Mary Ann, born 1877, married Thomas Bell, Catherine born 1879, married John James Jack and Elizabeth, born 1883 married Robert Robson.
John was employed by the Post Office Communications as an apprentice electrical, [Telephone wireman]. John was married in Newcastle in March 1899 to Susannah [nee Wilson], in 1899. They were residing at 103 Abbott Street, Gateshead.
By 1911, they were residing at 10 Briscoe Street, Gateshead. They had six children, John, born 1899 died 1957, married Emily Douglas, James Wilson, born 1901 died 1905, Robert Fawcett, born 1903 died 1904, Elizabeth Simpson, born 1906, Agnes born 1908, died 1918 and Jane Hannah born in August 1911, but died in 1914.
He is now a National Telephone Worker with the G.P.O., at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, based at Gateshead.
John attested into the Royal Engineers, where his communication skills were most valuable, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the 19th July 1917, he was aged 44 year and 4 months. A Roman Catholic.
His service number was 329773, and enlisted on the 22nd August 1918 at Chatham.
John was classed as 'W' Class reserve, this was introduced in June 1916, 'for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in Civil rather than Military employment'. National Service Act.
He was classed as a Skilled Engineering Workman. This applied to him from the 29th June 1918.
He was discharged on the 14th December 1918, surplus to military requirements at Chatham
His daughter Agnes died on the 8th November 1918. The Newcastle Chronicle reads : 'Dourish - 10 Briscoe Street, Gateshead, Nov 8th 1918, aged 10 years, Agnes, dearly beloved daughter of John and Susannah Dourish, Internment at Gateshead Cemetery at 2.15 on Tues. All friends and neighbours kindly invited . R.I.P.'
Susannah died in 1920, John died on the 20th December 1933 and left a will dated 15th February, of £227 1s 6d to John Dourish Labourer.
