Lieut. John Halifax Feggetter M.C.
Photo; James Pasby
Newcastle Journal Tuesday 23/10/1917
Tyne Cot Memorial
Medal Index Card
John Halifax Feggetter was born on Sunday 16th June 1895 at Jesmond, the eldest son, with six younger siblings, Henry, James, George, Stewart, Joan, and Catherine, as well as one older sister, Amelia, of William Feggetter, a Shipping agent, [the Dundee and Newcastle Steamship Company Limited, based at Baltic Chambers], in Newcastle, (also a member of the church, his father being a member of Session), and his wife Amelia Stewart, daughter of William Young of Dundee. Residing at 9 Dilston Terrace, Gosforth.
John was educated at South Gosforth Council School, Rutherford College, matriculated from there (being second in the list) and entered Armstrong College in 1914, entering the Honours Schools of English and Latin in 1915, and had before him a University career of great promise.
Prior to entering the Army, deceased was a Teacher in and Treasurer of the Church Sunday School.
After the outbreak of War he was a member of the Durham University O.T.C. and at Christmas, 1915, was gazetted temporary [on probation] Second Lieutenant [1st January 1916], in the 15th Northumberland Fusiliers, being subsequently transferred to the 13th Northumberland Fusiliers, with which Battalion he went overseas in June 1916.
With his Battalion he took part in the Battle of the Somme which commenced on July 1st 1916. During the continued fighting he was wounded at Mametz Wood on the 13th of July, and received a Shoulder wound, and was invalided home. He was recuperating at the 4th London General Hospital King's College Hospital, London. His brother William, at the same time, was rescued when his steamer was sunk by a U-Boat, and is now serving on another transport].
John again returning to his Battalion which had been amalgamated into the 12/13th Northumberland Fusiliers, France in December 1916, as Signalling Officer. In April 1917, his work was so excellent, and his courage and gallantry so inspiring, particularly at the capture of Croiselles, that he was recommended for the Military Cross, which decoration was subsequently bestowed upon him.
On 4th October, 1917, at the Battle of Broodseinde, Flanders, he was killed, he at the time being Intelligence Officer of his Battalion, his Colonel being also killed in the same battle, which, whilst a victory for the Allies, was at heavy cost to the Battalion. He was buried where he fell, but the precise place is not known. A brother Officer writing home, after referring to his capabilities and courage, said It is a glorious end to a magnificent life, and in sight of God life is not measured by length, but by worth.
His Commanding Officer wrote:- On 4th October, the battalion took part in the great victory then won, and paid a heavy price. Your son accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Dix as Intelligence Officer, the Colonel was killed whilst leading the battalion, and I greatly fear that your son fell at the same time. He will have a splendid record of service with the battalion. Colonel Dix thought most highly of him, as did all of us.
His Chaplain wrote also: Your son was one of the most cheerful, fearless, and conscientious men I have ever met, and is sadly missed by the officers and men of the Fusiliers, and the 'Queen's also, with whom he frequently came in contact.
A brother officer also wrote:- On the morning of 4th October, he went up in front of the battalion to mark out the jumping-off points, and later met the companies and put them into position....Always the most gallant of soldiers, he had no fear of death. His men thought the world of him, and would, and did, follow him anywhere. His coolness in danger and disregard of shell-fire had become almost proverbial in the battalion, and was a constant inspiration to all who saw him.
He was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette, 1st January 1918), the official record stating: "This officer has rendered most valuable service in Battalion Signalling Officer, and in the performance of duty, has shown the greatest Gallantry, thereby inspiring his men with the utmost confidence and determination. He did particularly well when, during a successful attack upon the enemy's trenches, he led his signallers through the hostile barrage across ground swept by machine-gun fire, and established telephonic communicating between battalion head quarters and the captured second objective within a few minutes of the enemy's trench being cleared by our leading wave. This officer rendered splendid service in reorganising men and inspiring all by his confidence and coolness under heavy shell and trench-mortar fire. After nightfall, on one occasion, Lieutenant Feggetter by order of the Commanding Officer, patrolled 'No Mans Land' in search of wounded, and was instrumental in binging in a great number of wounded men from near the enemy's wire." He was unmarried.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
The Northerner, Vol. XVII, no. 2, April, 1918, page 2. contains the following, transcribed by Tony Harding:
"The Military Cross has been awarded to the late Lieut. John H. Feggetter, Northumberland Fusiliers, for conspicuously good service during the period March 21st – September 21st, 1917, especially for gallantry and devotion to duty on April 2nd, near Croisilles, when by his skill and fearlessness he established telephonic communication between the front line and Battalion Headquarters within a few minutes of the capture of an important objective. On October 4th he fell a few hundred yards north-west of the hamlet of Reutel, and somewhere about a thousand yards east of Polygon Wood."
In St. Nicholas churchyard is a family headstone for Feggetter, which includes:
In loving memory of
John H. Feggetter, M.C.
Lieut. 12/13 N.F.
who was killed in action
in Flanders,
Oct. 4th 1917, aged 22 years.
Footnote: John's sister Catherine was a musical student in pianoforte, passing The Incorporated Society of Musicians exam of Practical Grade 1 with Honours, in July 1915.
Source: Jesmond Presbyterian Church 1888-1938 A Jubilee Memorial
Morpeth Herald 02/11/1917 carries a brief obituary:
Notice has been received that Lieut. John Feggetter, Northumberland Fusiliers, formerly reported wounded, was killed in action on October 4th. He was the third son of Mr and Mrs Wm. Feggetter, 9 Dilston Terrace, Gosforth.
John Halifax Feggetter is remembered at Gosforth on G9.06, at Jesmond on J1.09, J1.16 and J1.27 and in Newcastle on NUT063, NUT070 and NUT126