Photo: Sydney Graham

Able Seaman, R/1247, John Rae, Hawke Battalion, R.N. Division, died from TB after being discharged (Invalided, TB, 20th October 1918 attributable).

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

John was born on the 1st March 1894. He was living with his father, Thomas at Pinchmenear, Bellingham, Northumberland when, as an Army Reservist he was called up on 24th April 1917.

John joined the Hawke Battalion in France on 30th August 1917 and served until 26th December 1917 when he went sick with Arthritis to the right knee.

He rejoined the Hawke Battalion on 28th February 1918 and was gassed on 14th March 1918.

After being invalided to the UK on 1st April 1918 John was examined on 20th October 1918 and discharged with a 100% disability. John died at his home in Bellingham on 28th November 1918 from Phthisis Pulmonalis.

John Rae is remembered at Bellingham on B18.01, B18.02 and B18.10

The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Rae