On the Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of 3874S Stoker John William McCarthy, serving on H.M.S. Lady Cory Wright with the Royal Naval Reserve who died 26/03/1918.

The son of Robert and Elizabeth McCarthy, of 4, Third Street, Netherton, Morpeth and the husband of Emily McCarthy, of 4, Third Street, Netherton, Morpeth.

Derek Johnstone has provided the following:

John William McCarthy the son of Robert, a coal miner and Elizabeth McCarthy was born at Willington, Durham in 1885.

The 1891 Census shows John William McCarthy aged 6, the only child at this time, living with parents at Windlestone, Chilton Buildings, Durham.

By 1901 John was 16, working as a banksman at the colliery and living with his family at Leslie Row, Hauxley, Amble with brothers Frederick aged 7 and Harold aged 3.

In 1911 John was living with his parents at 69 Beaumont Street, Elswick with additional siblings Robert aged 9, Olive aged 2 and Roderic aged 1. John married Emily Pearson in 11th November 1911 when he was 26. They had two children, Robert (Rupert) born in 1912 and John born in 1915.

John was living at 4, Third Street, Netherton when he enlisted. Official records show he was killed as direct result of enemy action involving a submarine in the English Channel. His body was not recovered.

In 1925, his wife went to live in Australia and does not appear to have remarried.

John had two brothers, Harold and Frederick who were both killed in action in the 1914-18 War.

John William McCarthy is remembered at Bedlington on B15.07 as J. McCarthy and  in B15.26 page 110 and List of Ships’ Crews.