Photo: Geordie at War Project
J. Blakey
Durham Light Infantry
28th March 1915 age 34.
also in memory of
44767 Pte. Thomas Blakey
Royal Berkshire Regiment
26th October 1918.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:
John was born in Gateshead in 1881. He was the eldest son of John and Sarah Ann. He had several brothers and sisters including his younger brother, Thomas, who was also a soldier in the Great War and was killed in action in France in 1918.
John was a working man. At 20 he was a brass striker and later went to work as a labourer in the shipyard. He married Margaret Connell in 1902. Together they had 4 children. At the time of the 1911 census the family were living at Watson Yard, off Cannon Street, Gateshead.
When war broke out John enlisted at Barnard Castle. He was accidently shot whilst in England. He died at 5th Shields Infirmary in 1915 aged 34 years. His family were living at 6 Criddle Street, Gateshead when he died.
He is buried in Gateshead East Cemetery. His brother Thomas' details were added to his headstone by the family.
John Blakey is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004
