Old Postcard
Photo: B. Chandler
Medal Card and Award for MiD
Newcastle Journal Monday 19th April 1915
Newcastle Journal Monday 28th May 1917
In Loving Memory of
2nd Lieut. John Gordon Steel 8th D.L.I.
Aged 20
Younger son of John T. and Alice M. Steel
Died 24th May 1917, of wounds received
16th Sept. 1916, in the second battle of the Somme.
"They chose the best
They sprang to duty’s call
They stood the test."
(The quotation comes from John Oxenham’s Poem "All’s Well".
John Gordon Steel was born on the 3rd April 1897, at Whitley Bay, the youngest son of John Tinline Steel, [born 1863, Ovingham, Northumberland], of Cranford, Stocksfield-on-Tyne, [Coal Exporter and Merchant shipping clerk], and his wife Alice Maria, [born 1864], daughter of Adam Bates. Also brother to Lieutenant Robert Kingsley Steel. In 1891 the family were residing at Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at 76 Brighton Grove, Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a domestic servant called Annie M. Reay, age 20.
By 1901, John was residing, with his mother, at 24 Beverley Terrace, Cullercoats, Northumberland, with his elder brother Robert Kingsley Steel and two sisters Lillian [born 1891], and Nora [born, Newcastle, July 1893], with 2 servants.
1911, John was still residing in Cullercoats, at School, with his mother and sister Nora, as well as the maid, Dorothy Jackson.
John Gordon Steel was educated at Mill Hill school. He was also a member of the Mill Hill School Contingent, Junior Division, O.T.C., He joined the Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers Battalion, on the 27th December 1914 to train soldiers.
He obtained a commission into the 1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 5th March 1915. Sent to France on the 31st May 1916.
He died from wounds received on the 16th September at the Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the 24th May 1917. John was transported by hospital train.
On the 24th February 1915, Alderman William H Stephenson informed the city council that arrangements had been made with the government authorities for the utilisation of The City Asylum as a hospital for the forces, and for the patients being temporarily accommodated in other asylums.
The City Asylum, which we now know as St Nicholas’ Hospital in Gosforth, had opened in 1869, having been built on a 50 acre farmstead, known as Dodd’s Farm. It was built in response to chronic overcrowding in local hospitals for the mentally ill and reflected the latest medical thinking concerning care of the mentally ill. It had capacity for over 400 patients and included its own farm among other amenities.
Plans moved quickly, reflecting the urgent need for hospital provision for injured troops brought home from the front and, on the 19th May 1915, Alderman Stephenson, chairman of the Lunatic Asylum Visiting Committee presented a report to the council setting out the arrangements for the operation of the Northumberland War Hospital.
Whilst he was in hospital, Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Brigadier) [Roland Boys] Bradford. V.C., D.S.O., M.C., wrote to him:- You did not deserve to be hit, but it is a fact that the very best fellows are hit first. I wish to thank you for the loyal and able way in which you have always supported me. You behaved like a hero on the 15th, and your steadying influence during the night enabled us to consolidate in a good position before dawn. The N.C.O.'s and men of your company are full of your praise.
He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4th 1917] by F[ield] M[arshall], Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.B., for gallant and distinguished service in the field.
He was unmarried.
The 1/9th War Diary:- states the battalion were attacking the Starfish Line and met a murderous hail of fire resulting in heavy casualties 15/16th September 1916.
Newcastle Journal Monday 28/05/1917 reports
His funeral service, on Saturday 26th May 1917, was conducted by the Rev. A. H. Askey, C.F. and the Rev W. L. Jameson, C.F. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the Last Post was sounded. The remains were conveyed from the Northumberland War Hospital on a gun carriage, and six non-commissioned officers acted as underbearers. The chief mourners were:- Mr J.T. Steel, of Stocksfield (father of the deceased officer). Misses Lilian and Nora Steel (sisters). Miss Steel and Miss Agnes Steel (aunts), Mr W. Scott, Ryton, Mr L. G. W. Scott of Gateshead, Mr R. Huntley of Whitley Bay and Mr Thomas Bates of Whitley Bay (uncles), Mr Bertie Bates (cousin) Newcastle, Mr Alfred Bates of Heaton (uncle), Mr Arthur Huntley of Whitley Bay (cousin), maids and gardeners from Stocksfield. Alex Sharp (late Lieut. Steel's orderly), Captain Barclay, R.A.M.C., Mrs and Master Brown, Mr John Barclay, Whitley Bay.
John is buried in Jesmond Cemetery.
The funeral arrangements were organised by Messrs Bainbridge and Co, under the direction of Mr Brittals.
In his will dated the 5th December he left £1137 10s 2d to his Father John Tinline Steel, ship owner.
John Gordon Steel is remembered at Stocksfield on S56.02 and S56.03 and at Durham in the DLI Book of Remembrance on page 128.
