At the Cretinier Cemetery, Wattrelos, France, is the Commonwealth War Grave of Lieutenant John Chatt Napier serving with the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 29/10/1918.

The son of George and Hannah Napier, of South Shields.

In Harton (St. Peter) Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:

In loving memory of
Hannah Napier
who died January 23rd 1912
aged 61 years.

Also of George
beloved husband of the above
who was accidently drowned
at Hartlepool Dec. 13th 1916
aged 64 years.

Also of John Chatt
youngest son of the above
killed at Wattrelos (Belgium)
October 29th 1918, aged 23 years.

Also of George
son of the above
who died December 3rd 1932
aged 44 years.

Interred at Hendon.

John was born 30th April 1893, and was the son of Ship’s Mate George Napier and his wife Hannah. They resided in 1901 at 126 Campbell Street, then in 1905, 9 Barnes Road, South Shields.

John joined Westoe Secondary School in August 1905 at the age of 12. At 16 he became a Pupil-Teacher, and taught at Barnes School until July 1911. He then taught at Laygate Lane County School.

John initially joined the Durham Light Infantry, and then the Northumberland Fusiliers, with whom he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in March 1917.

He was killed in action on the 29th October 1918, aged 25.

Andrew Napier has submitted the following:
This is my Great Uncle who prior to the war was a schoolteacher. My Father was named after his Uncle – both being John Chatt Napier. Chatt is a Scottish sept name. The family were from Scotland, marine engineers, being famous for owning the very first shipyard on the Clyde. His brother – my Grandfather was a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy. I understand the family moved to Northumberland due to job availability in the North East. Interestingly the family always maintained that he was a Captain, promoted from Lieutenant on the field of war.

John Chatt Napier is remembered at Harton on H104.03, at South Shields on S86.027, and in S86.086 page 11 and on our Lists of Teachers who fell in 1914-18 and Teachers who served in 1914-18.