Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
John was born to his Welsh father, Edward and his Irish mother, Elizabeth (known as Eliza) at Dearham Cumberland in 1895. They married at Cockermouth in 1891.
The family lived at Woodside Ryton in 1901. He had several brothers and sisters including William, Sarah Ann, Samuel, Robert and Norman. His father died in 1906 aged 44 years leaving his wife to bring up the family. He had been a coal hewer.
By 1911 his mother was working as a charwoman to make ends meet. John at the age of 15 was working in the mine as a pony driver. His younger brother Samuel although still at school was also doing his bit by working as a fruiterer's errand boy. They lived at 5 Clayton Terrace, Low Fell at this time.
John joined the army by enlisting at Gateshead and was posted to France 30 October 1915. He was killed in action on 15th September 1916 aged 21 years.
Eliza Williams married for a second time to Isaac Cameron at Gateshead in 1923 and lived at 34 Simpson Street Crook Hill, Ryton. She added the following words to his headstone:- “ Peace Perfect Peace In Jesus keeping We are safe and they .. “
Medals :- British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star
John Edward Williams is remembered at Gateshead in G39.004 and at Gateshead Fell on G39.064
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 244
