When John William Nisbet was born in April 1892 in North Shields, Northumberland, his father William, was 30 and his mother Elizabeth (nee Patterson), was 31. He was the second son from their eight surviving children consisting of four sons and four daughters and lived most of his life in South Shields from the early 1900s.

Jeannie born 1885, Janet born 1890, Peter born 1887, Elizabeth born 1895, George born 1898, Henry, born 1900 and Isabella 1905.

Originally from Eyemouth in Scotland the family had moved south after the 1891 Census, settling first at Tynemouth and during John’s early years moved to South Shields where his younger brother [Henry] was born in August 1900.

In 1901 the family are found living at 22 Edith Street, South Shields, and by 1911 moved up the street to number 70. They lived a short distance from St Stephen’s Church.

John William was an apprentice Joiner in the employ of Messrs, J.P. Rennoldson Ship Builders before he enlisted. John was also a member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.

John followed his elder brother Peter in enlisting for the army in the 2/2nd Field Company, Durham, Royal Engineers on the 10th August 1915, at South Shields. His regiment number was 471017. He had to take a proficiency test, which resulted in a grading of a 'good Joiner'. This was marked by a Foreman Joiner, Mr John George Rhind, of 25 Bartram Street, South Shields, this applied to recruits who had skills.

He married Mary Ann Bryson Taylor in October 1915 in Tynemouth, Northumberland and resided at 37 Pearson Street, South Shields. They went on to have three children, but only two of those survived. His first child Cecilia Gertrude was born in March 1916 at 37 Pearson Street, South Shields. Their next child Peter (possibly named after his eldest brother) was born in December 1917, but sadly died in March 1918. In November 1919 his wife gave birth to their second daughter Mary Bryson, again born at 37 Pearson Street, South Shields.

John had enlisted into the 2/2nd Field Company Durham, Royal Engineers, but was transferred into the 1/2nd Field Company.

"In 1914, Infantry Divisions included 2 Royal Engineer field companies and a signal company, by the end of the year a third field company was added, which resulted in a shortage of Engineers across the Territorial and the New Armies."

John was transferred on the 8th October 1915, into the 1/2nd Durham Field Company his regiment number now was 1558 with the rank of Sapper. Also being given a rise in his pay from 1s to 1s 4d.

He arrived in France on the 9th December 1915. His unit served with the 5th Infantry Division.

On the 15th July 1916, after 10 months in the field, he was taken to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station with inflammation of the connective tissue of his feet.

One year 3 months later, on the 24th July 1916, he was admitted to the 56th Casualty Clearing station at Vecquemont, [known as the South Midland C.C.S.,] at 18.00 hrs, from the 14th Field Ambulance unit, [this was one of the three Ambulance units in the 5th Division, the others were the 13th and 15th], a Gun Shot Wound to his face and Left eye, also a Gun Shot Wound to his Left Knee, Shrapnel in his Tibia and knee, contusion of the right eye, severe bruising. Wound Left over Left [eye] frontal angle to supraorbital notch? bruising, supraorbital N (nerve) - Severe Neuralgia - Left ear since wounded. due to shock.

Gun shot wound left knee and right temporal region. (Gun shot wounds to the left knee and the side of his head), Shrapnel removed from left tibia in France and left knee joint aspirated. Contusion of right eye Haemorrhage into vitreous. (Shrapnel removed from his left shinbone, fluid removed from his left knee with a needle & syringe. Bruising around the right eye and blood leakage into areas in and around the eye).

At 6.00 am on the 25th July he left the C.C.S., and was taken to a Convalescent Hospital. We believe it was around the middle of August to recover from his wounds.

John's wounds were severe, and he was sent to the 3rd Northern Hospital at Sheffield. Whilst recovering he was examined before a Medical Board at the above hospital to assess his condition after recovery. He was discharged on Wednesday, 31st January 1917, by the Medical Board under Paragraph 392 (xvi) King's Regulations. [Army Form W3484b]. John was awarded the Silver War Badge, badge number 148198 which was issued on the 23rd March 1917. The discharge date was stated as the 14th March 1917.

John William was living at 37 Pearson Street, South Shields during his war service and this address also appears on his Mother’s death certificate in February 1929 when he was present at her death in 70 Edith Street. John received his War Medal on the 16th February 1922.

Sadly, John died between October and December of 1932.

He is not remembered on a North East War Memorial.

Research: Cynthia Kent/James Pasby/Jean Atkinson

Photos inside of the Hospital around Christmas 1916
Read a Nurses Diary from the 3rd Northern Hospital