Medal Index Card
Colin Boyd has provided the following:
John was born in South Shields in October 1884 and was the son of William and Ann Elizabeth Fawkes.
He married Mary Kay on the 26th July 1905 in South Shields and they had two children, Jarrett Irvine Fawkes, born 29th June 1905 and Jane Welsh Fawkes, born 22nd September 1910.
When he enlisted in December 1915 he stated that he was separated and gave his parents' address of 214, Lytton Street, South Shields and that he was a postman. John was described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 133 lbs and requiring dental treatment that was duly carried out.
He was originally posted to the 16th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and then transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment in November 1917 serving in France.
John appears to have had problems with his feet as he received treatment four times in the space of two months. John was promoted to Corporal on the 3rd July 1918 and died of wounds at the 6th Casualty Clearing Station on the 29th September 1918.
His effects, monies etc. were forwarded to his mother, Ann, who was the legal guardian of his children.
His name does not appear on a North East memorial.
He also is not named in the Post Office Roll of Honour.
