Medal Index Card

John Nessworthy was born on the 5th February, 1883 at North Shields, Northumberland, to Robert Ridley Nessworthy, [born 7th January 1845], South Shields, Durham died 7th August 1910, East Riding Asylum, Walkington, Hull, East Yorkshire] (Age 65 years), with Susannah Lamb Bedingfield Sheals, [born 1843, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died 15th February 1917, Aberdeen, Scotland], (Age 74 years). They had six children James, Isabellla, Robert, Frederick, Mary and John.

In 1891 he was residing at 5, Fawcus Buildings, Reed Street, North Shields, Northumberland. Then in 1905, 103, Church Street, North Shields, Northumberland. He was a Blacksmith Striker.

In 1906, he had moved to 4 Collingwood Street, North Shields, Northumberland. John got married on the 2nd January, 1905 at Christ Church, North Shields, Northumberland, to Ellen McKell Grant Sutherland Haywood, [born 1882, North Shields, Northumberland died 1940, North Shields]. They had four children, Margaret Ellen Dixon Nessworthy, [born, 11th April 1906, North Shields, but died in November 1906], Edwardina Haywood Nessworthy, [born 30th September 1908, North Shields, died in North Shields, 1990], and Elizabeth A Nessworthy, born 10th April 191, North Shields. Plus another child [details withheld] still living.

In 1909 they were residing at 4, Mill Street, The Bullring, North Shields, and by 1911 moved again to 5 Mill Street, The Bullring, North Shields. Around this time, John was employed by the Stephen Addison & Son Company, [Slate and Building Merchants] based at Coach Lane, North Shields, as a Horse Driver with the company's cart. The cashier of the company had written a letter confirming his record with the company, when John enlisted.

John attested for the Duration of the War at North Shields on the 9th January 1915.

He was enlisted into the Army Service Corps, Height was 5ft 4½ inches tall high, [1.54m], Black Hair with a Dark Complexion, with Brown eyes.

His service number was allocated to him as T4/ 041076, and his trade was now a Driver. He was sent to Bradford on the 10th January 1915, and was in the 3rd Company A.S.C., "3 Regular army. Based at Bradford. Also called No 4 Reserve HT depot." He then was transferred to the 1st Base Horse Transport Division at Lichfield.

Whilst at Lichfield, he was involved in an accident which entailed to him to be confined to Lichfield Military Hospital from the 12th April 1916 to the 14th April 1916 with contusions. [Total 3 days]. There was a report compiled on the 18th April 1916, which gives an account of the accident. "On the 10th April 1916, J. Nessworthy was wheel Driver on one of the wagons, working from the Barracks Laundry working down a hill,... [the rest is intelligible], ... Had Linen strewn over his head, when apparently the wheel of a wagon run over his leg. The Driver of the Wagon was not to blame"

He was then sent overseas to Salonika on the 26th September 1916, embarking at Devonport on the H.T. "Legahtic", disembarked at Salonika on the 8th October 1916, and joined the 5th Base Horse Transport Division.

On the 9th January 1917 he received a 1st Class Good Conduct Badge.

On the 27th May, he was confined to camp for 7 days, due to malingering, according to the officer commanding 857 Company.

Whilst in Salonika, he was transferred to the 661 Company, [formed April 1916. Reserve Depot, based at Park Royal, London]. He embarked for home to the UK on the 1st June 1918, and was attached to the 120 Company A.S.C..

He was discharged, as being surplus to Military Requirements Para 392 (Sec XXVD), on the 14th December 1918, but had been released earlier to work in the National Shipyard at Middle Dock, North Shields.

Army Service Corps Horse Transport Companies
Detailed History of the Nessworthy Family