CWGC Headstone
Brother Joseph Dickinson
John Dickinson was born on the 7th May 1879, baptised 28th May 1879, the youngest child of seven children at Middle Chare in Chester-le-Street, to Adamson Dickinson, born 1837, died 1910, and his wife Lavinia nee Hooper, born 1842, died 21st January 1914. They were married in 1862. The other children were Robert Dickinson, born 1862, died 8th November 1931, [married a Louise, in 1890, ahe sied 17th June 1944, and they had three children, two died in infancy, the third child May died 16th July 1957], Samuel, born 25th March 1865, died 1883, Thomas, born 27th May 1867, baptised 19th June 1867, died March 1909, Matthew Henry, born 12th May 1869, baptised 28th May 1869, died 1918, [he married a Louise nee Howard], Jean Adamson Dickinson, born 2nd October 1871, died 1925 and Joseph Dickinson, born 11th December 1873,
The family moved to Middle Chare from Back Chare by 1881. By 1901 the family had moved to 11 John Street, Chester-le-Street, by this time there where only 4 children residing with their parents, Matthew, Jane, Joseph and John.
John's father Adamson Dickinson, [was one of nine children to Matthew and Jane Dckinson], died in 1910, and was a stone mason, like his father, Matthew.
John Dickinson was a Bricklayer employed at the local Colliery, he married a Margaret nee Scott, in 1907. Margaret was the only daughter of William and Margaret Scott, residing at Brown's buildings, they has 5 children, but two died.
1n 1911, John and his wife Margaret, were residing at his wife's parents residence at 29 Browns Buildings, Birtley, with William Scott, his wife Margaret Scott and two children, Joseph Scott, born 1890 and John Scott born 1892.
In 1911, Lavinia, now widowed, was residing at 4 John Street, Chester-le-Sreet, with her daughter Jane Adamson Dickinson.
John attested into the Northumberland Fusiliers about 1915, iand was posted into the 35th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Initially with the service number 3150, then allocated 315477.
On the 1st January 1917, what had previously been called the 21st Provisional Battalion became 35th Battalion, Territorial Force. It had been formed in 1915 from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Based at Herne Bay in Kent.
John Dickinson did not serve oversears as he was classed as a Class W. Home service only.
Class W, Army Reserve and Class W(T), TF Reserve were introduced on the 16th June 1916, by Army Order 203/16. and was ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’. Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from Army Funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the Colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline..
John Dickinson received no Medals.
John Dickinson died on the 11th July 1917. He is not remembered on a North East War Memorial, there is however documentation that states that his name reads J. Dickenson. This is incorrect.
