Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Howe was the eldest of his siblings, 5 brothers and 3 sisters, all of whom survived. His parents Isaac Howe and Mary Benn born in Baggrow, district of Cockermouth, Cumberland in 1859 were married in the parish of Allhallows, Cumberland, June 8th 1884. John Howe was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1884 at Baggrow as were his siblings William 1887, Tom, March 25th 1888, Mary Elizabeth 1890, Robert 1892, Frederick 1893 and Jane Ann 1896. Isaac was employed as a coal miner, between 1896 and 1899, he migrated with his family to the north east, settling at Blenkinsopp, Northumberland, where their youngest child, Hilda Isabella was born in 1899. In 1901 they were living at Blenkinsopp Terrace, township of Haltwhistle, where Isaac had been joined by his John (16) both employed as coal miner/hewers, William (14) was a grocer’s apprentice. the remainder of the children, Tom (13), Mary Elizabeth (11), Robert (9), Frederick (7) and Jane Ann (5), were scholars, Hilda (2) remained at home with their mother. In search of employment by 1911 they were living at 65, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Northumberland, with their 7 children. All the male members of the family with the exception of Frederick, who was a dog trainer, worked as coal hewers.
John Howe enlisted at Newburn on Tyne, circa September 22nd 1914, assigned to “D” Coy 14th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 11643. The 14th was part of Kitchener’s New Army, initially as infantry, part of the 21st Division which assembled at Hatton Park, however it converted to a Pioneer Battalion, February 1915. Private Howe departed with his regiment to France, September 9th 1915 for service on the Western Front.
As part of the 63rd Brigade, 21st Division the 14th Battalion participated at the Battle of Loos, September 25th-October 8th, the biggest British Attack of 1915 and where they used poison gas for the first time, the opening day of the Battles of the Somme at the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd and the Battle of Le Transloy, October 1st-18th in 1916.
After leaving the Somme the division transferred to the Arras sector in action during the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1917 before being sent to the Ypres salient in Belgium where they participated during the 3rd Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele which raged from July 31st-November 10th 1917.
Private 11643 John Howe Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action September 24th 1917 and interred at The Huts Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium, grave VI. C. 16. The cemetery takes its name from a line of huts along the road which were used by the Field Ambulances during the offensive in the Dickebusch sector.
His father received all monies owed to his son from the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 65, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Northumberland. His commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 4 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Deeply Regretted.” Private John Howe was 33 years of age and single.
All of John’s brothers were eligible to serve during WW1, only the record of his brother William Howe has been found who served with the Royal Artillery.
Isaac Howe died January 17th 1936 in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland, aged 76 years, Mary Howe nee Benn aged 84 years, October 28th 1943, district of Tynemouth.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace
In St. John’s Graveyard, Westerhope, Northumberland, is a family grave which reads;
In Loving Memory of
My Dear Husband
ISAAC HOWE
Who Died 19th January 1936
Aged 76
Also MARY
Dearly Loved Wife of the Above
Died October 28th 1943
Aged 84 Years.
John Howe is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
