In Dunston (Christ Church) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of 101102 Private John William Ree serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps who died 26/07/1920.
He was the husband of Mary Elizabeth Ree of 16 Stephenson Street, Dunston on Tyne, Co Durham. His son Thomas Ernest Balmor Ree also fell.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John William Ree was born in 1867, at Brancepeth, County Durham. One of 8 known children, his father William Ree was a coal miner, born at Benton, Gosforth on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne, where he was married, May 5th 1866, at All Saints to widow Esther Stonehouse nee Hutton. All of John William’s sibling were born in different locations throughout Northumberland and County Durham in his father’s search for work.
John William was married, June 23rd 1894, at Gateshead Registry Office, historically in County Durham to Mary Elizabeth Palmer, 10 years his junior, she was born in 1877 in the village of Swalwell, near Gateshead. Newly married they settled at Forest Hall on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne, where Thomas Ernest Balmor Ree was born during the 4th quarter 1866, before transferring to County Durham where their daughter Esther was born in 1898 and William Chilton Ree, June 19th 1900, at West Ryton.
William Chilton was only 3 months old when the family moved to Killingworth High Pit in the parish of Longbenton where John William was employed at the colliery. Another move took them to Shiremoor, Northumberland, birthplace of Mary Ann, May 24th 1909 and then to Blyth where their youngest child Tamar Wren Ree was born, December 11th 1905.
They had returned to County Durham by 1911 and were living in 4 rooms at 16, Stephenson Street, Dunston. John William was employed as a wagon way man, Thomas Ernest Balmer (16) as a pony driver, both worked below ground, Mary Ann (8) attended school, Tamar (5), Esther had left the family home.
When Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 4th 1914, all regiments were ordered to raise new battalion, men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country. At that point in time the Royal Army Medical Corps numbered circa 9,000 personnel and was greatly expanded by 1918 to circa 13,000.
Despite his 48 years and 4 months of age John William Ree left his employment as a miner and his post at the salt works and enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, August 18th 1915, but due to his age was considered only suitable for Home Service. He was assigned to the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 101102, joining the 20th Company at Tidmouth Military Hospital the following day.
He himself was admitted to the Military Hospital, Reading, May 7th 1916 until July 4th 1916 suffering from bronchitis. After a Medical Board Examination it was concluded he was, ”no longer physically fit for war service.” Private 101102 John William Ree was discharged, July 12th 1916 and died July 26th 1920.
Private J. W. Ree R.A.M.C. was laid to rest within Dunston Christ Church Churchyard, grave C. 53. He was 53 years of age and considered a casualty of war. Awards; British War Medal.
Christ Church was demolished in 1978 and all gravestones removed although the internments were left undisturbed. In order to honour Private John William Ree and the 8 other war dead buried there a CWGC Special Memorial was erected, April 14th 1982, at Gateshead (Saltwell) Cemetery, Low Fell, Gateshead, historically County Durham, now Tyne & Wear.
Prior to John William Ree’s demise the family had suffered two bereavements in a short space of time. John William and Mary Elizabeth’s daughter Mary Ann Ree had died in 1918 aged 16 years and their eldest son Thomas Ernest Balmor Ree, who also served with the R.A.M.C. had died, “at home,” April 4th 1919.
After the death of her husband and son Mary Elizabeth Ree moved to Cockersdale, Drighlington, historically in West Riding Yorkshire, taking her surviving children with her.
Tamar Wren Ree was married, August 8th 1931 at St. Paul’s Church in the parish of Drighlington, to George Henry Parkin born July 21st 1892. George Henry was a coal miner, Tamar was employed as a winder in the manufacturing industry. In 1939 they were living at Ings Cottages Crofton, Wakefield. Her husband died at Wakefield in 1944 and she remarried in 1948 to Richard A Moore born February 10th 1914. Tamar Wren Parkin-Moore nee Ree died in the district of Wakefield in 1986.
Further details as regards Esther J. Ree and her mother Mary Elizabeth Ree nee Palmer, as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John William Ree is remembered at Dunston Hill on D31.01 and at Gateshead on G39.062
