Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Joseph Ivinson, one of 8 children, of whom only 7 survived, was the eldest and 6 brother and had 1 elder sister. His father Joseph Ivinson had a very hard upbringing. Born at Scaleby, Cumberland, in circa 1868, at the age of 3-years he was living with his grandparents Walter Palmer, blacksmith, and his wife Jane, near Burn Hill, Cumberland, however, by the age of 13 he was employed as an errand boy and an inmate at Tower Street Boys Refuge, home for destitute boys in the district of All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. In his early 20’s he was employed as a cartman and married in 1890 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Margaret King, born at Newcastle in 1872. They settled at 10, Barrack Square, near Gallowgate, Newcastle, their daughter Frances Mary was born in 1891 and over the next ten years his wife gave birth to a further 4 children, John Joseph in 1892, William 1895, Walter, November 16th 1896 and James in 1899. By 1901 they had moved to 44, Diana Street, Joseph supported his family working as a gas stoker. Their son Alexander was born in 1903, Thomas in 1907, in the census of 1911, they and their 7 children were living in 3 rooms at 4, Priestman’s Cottage, Benwell, Newcastle, Joseph was still employed at the gas works, John Joseph (18) as a putter at the colliery, William (16) and Walter (14) as drivers, James (12) and Alexander (8) were scholars, Thomas (4) remained at home with this mother and sister Frances (20). Margaret Ivinson nee King died in 1912 aged 40 years.
In 1914 the Ivinson family were living at 15, Agnes Maria Street, Coxlodge, near Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. John Joseph enlisted at Gosforth, February 23rd 1914 with his brother William, assigned as Private 1943 and 1942 to the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Territorial force, part of the Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division, stationed at Gosforth Park by October 13th 1914.
The brothers departed to France with their regiment, April 20th 1915, where within days, without any nursery training or trench familiarisation, they were in the thick of the fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-May 25th. Battle concluded they were redesignated as the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and returned to France.
Private 1943 John Joseph Ivinson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, October 16th 1915 whilst n the area of Houplines, a village in Allied hands but very close to the front line. The village originally contained four Commonwealth cemeteries and several military graves in the communal cemetery. Post war these burials were regrouped into two cemeteries. Private Ivinson was laid to rest within Ferme Buterne Cemetery, Nord, Pas de Calais, France, memorial C37. The cemetery was initially used by the 6th Division between January-October 1915. Close by at C30 is buried Private 1563 John Harwood, Durham Light Infantry of Forster Street, Consett and C32 L/Cpl 1108 Joseph Traill Northumberland Fusiliers of Francis Terrace, Newburn, Northumberland.
As per his will, his father Joseph Ivinson, now living at 21, Burns Close, Callerton, Westerhope, Northumberland, as sole beneficiary, received all monies due to his son from the Army also his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He commissioned at a cost of 1 shilling 9 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “At Rest.” Private Ivinson was 22 years of age and single.
Only two of John Joseph’s younger brothers were eligible to serve during WW1, William Ivinson joined the Northumberland Fusiliers as did Walter Ivinson who was transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve due to the excess of volunteers for the Army.
The death of John Joseph’s father, Joseph Ivinson, who died aged 82 years in 1950, was registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Ivinson is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01 and in the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers Book W2.21
