John James was the son of Patrick and Mary Jane McKeown (nee Grinley) of 14 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn.
Their marriage was registered in Ulverston, Lancashire, during the June quarter of 1874. His father was born in Co. Louth and was a 54 years old furnace man in a chemicals works in April 1911. His mother was also born in Co Louth.
They had been married for 36 years and had eleven children.
John was born in Jarrow in 1894, and was a Boilermaker's helper in an alkali works. He enlisted at Newcastle.
His Battalion were in the 21st Division and he died of wounds on the 27th October 1918. Age 24.
He is remembered at Hebburn on H93.45
