William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John was the son of William E and Elizabeth Magee of Seaham Harbour. He was born 1886. The couple had 8 children but 3 died.
In 1901 the family was living at 14 Viceroy Street, Seaham Harbour. John’s siblings were Margaret, George and Mary.
By 1911 John had married and moved on but the rest of the family were living at 24 Maria Seaham Harbour. His father was now working as a coal teemer at South Hetton Colliery whilst his 15 year old brother was also down the pit working as a miner/driver underground at Seaham Colliery. There was also a further addition to the household namely another daughter, Jane. However their son, Joseph (born 1900) appears to be missing but is shown as an inmate on 1911 census at Easington (St Mary’s) Workhouse. Some records show that Joseph Magee died in 1902 and as the Joseph Magee who is shown on workhouse records is only aged 5 years in 1911. It could be the second Joseph took his deceased brother’s name. This is assumption and should be confirmed.
In 1904 John William Magee had married Meggie Guy. They went on to have 4 children who all survived childhood. They were Ivy, William Etherington, John G and Lizzie. An additional 2 children later arrived ie Margaret and George.
The 1911 census shows the family living at 30 Main Street Seasham Harbour with their 4 children. He is now a loco engine driver for the Dock Company.
John enlisted at Seaham Harbour and joined the Royal Field Artillery. He was sent to France on the 19th April 1915 but only survived just less than a year being killed on either 31st March 1916 or 1st April 1916 aged 29 years. Dates vary depending on a particular record.
The inscription on his headstone reads :- He answered his country’s call Ever remembered by all at home.
John was awarded 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In the Sunderland Daily Echo 01/04/ 1919 is
In Memoriam, Roll of Honour 1 April 1919 "Ever remembered by his loving wife and 6 children. His loving father and mother, brother and sisters, Jim and brother in law".
His son William Etherington Magee later joined the Merchant Navy to serve in WW2. He was killed 17th April 1943.
John Magee is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
