Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John McGuire was born at Felling near Gateshead in 1894 the son of Mary McGuire and step-father James O’Neil. Mary married James O’Neil in 1902 after the death of her husband.
John McGuire enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, exact date unknown and assigned as Private 10870 to the 2nd Battalion Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) of the regular army. It is impossible to know Private McGuire’s exact movements during WW1 as his record was one of the 70% destroyed by the blitz of WW2, however, the regiment sailed to France in November 1914 with the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force. In 1915 they were in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Battle of Aubers and the action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 they moved south for the Battles of the Somme and in 1917 were involved in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Pilkem and the Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battle of Ypres. In February 1918 they transferred to 59th Brigade, 20th Division and were again in action on the Somme suffering heavy casualties. In April the Division was withdrawn to the SW of Amiens and after the arrival of new drafts of men went into action in the Final Advance in Picardy.
On date unknown Private John McGuire was wounded in action and taken by the Field Ambulance to Calais home of No. 6 Base Supply Depot, the 9th Red Cross Hospital, the 10th Canadian Stationary Hospital and the 30th, 35th and 38th General Hospital run by the Royal Army Medical Corp. Private 10870 John McGuire died of wounds at the 30th General Hospital, April 9th 1918 and interred at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, Pas de Calais, France, grave III. D. 4A, a new cemetery begun in September 1917 as Calais Southern Cemetery had reached its capacity with the burials from hospitals in the area, it continued to be used until 1921. Private McGuire was 24 years old and single.
His mother Mary living at 34, Back Crow Hall Lane, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and possibly the 1914-15 Star had his overseas service begun during that period.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John McGuire is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and as McQuire on H92.07
