Canadian Badge
Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-
The oldest son of master tailor George Amos of Stamfordham, and his wife Mary (nee Reed), John Robert was born on 21st August 1880 in the Heugh, Stamfordham and baptised on 5th December in South Shields. Ten years later still living in the same house were his younger brothers James, William and Robert, and his father’s employees, two tailors and an apprentice.
John completed his apprenticeship as a tailor and in February 1901 became Private 29453 in the Imperial Yeomanry, fighting in the Boer War and receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal and clasp, before discharge on 15th September 1902. Returning to work with his father, Mary, his mother died in 1903 and all the boys except William became master tailors, by 1911 living and working in Argen Road, Corbridge.
Two years later, in April 1913, John sailed from Rotterdam to the USA aboard the SS Portland with the intention of making for Toronto. He crossed into Canada and in 1915 applied for a Homestead Grant in Edmonton, Alberta and found time to serve with the local militia group the 19th Alberta Dragoons.
On 15th July 1915 he enlisted with the 63rd Battalion in Edmonton and became Private 466576 attached to “A” Company. Promoted to Corporal at the turn of the year, in early May the Battalion sailed into Liverpool on board the SS Metagama and by foot and train the men travelled to billets at Shorncliffe, Kent. Reverting to the rank of Private on being posted to the 5th Battalion at the end of June, John joined his new battalion at Abeele, Belgium on 12th July 1916.
Fighting as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division at Regina Trench on 26th/27th September Private Amos and his Lewis Gun crew were killed when blown up by an artillery shell during the attack.
John Robert Amos is remembered in Corbridge on C52.01, C52.02 and C52.04
In Canada he is remembered on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance.
Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual Memorial
The CWGC entry for Private Amos
