Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
John William Raffle (CWGC Raffel) was born at Low Fell in 1890 to parents William and Margaret nee Nicholson. He was one of 4 children born to the couple including Annie, Alice and Margaret Elizabeth. The family lived at Chowdene near Lamesley. His father was a coal miner.
By 1901, with the family now at 9 Ravensworth Terrace, his father had been promoted to deputy overman (underground) whilst his sister Alice was learning to be a dressmaker.
At the age of 21 in 1911 John had joined his father to work at in the mines as worked as a colliery fireman.
John attested at Gateshead into the 80th T.R. Battalion 11th December 1915 as John William Raffell (service no. 5/42533). His records show that he was 5‘7” tall, weighing 132 lbs, his religion was Church of England and his trade was as a colliery engineman.
By 1917 he was ready for war at the front and was mobilised 27 February. He sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne on 8 June 1917 then onto Etaples the following day. He was soon transferred to his regiment to join them in the field on 30 June 1917.
Within 3 months he was killed in action on Thursday 20 September.
His family, now living at 9 Derwent Gardens Low Fell, were sent his identity disc which was his only possession recovered.
He is named on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Medals:- British War Medal and Victory Medal
John William Raffle is remembered at Gateshead in G39.004 as J.W. Raffell and as Raffle at Gateshead Fell on G39.064 and at Low Fell on L61.02 and L61.03 both as Raffle
