Buffs Road Cemetery
Dorothy Hall has submitted the following:-
John William, born 15th December 1891 at Hebburn, was the son of William and Mary Ann Hunter. He had two brothers and five sisters. In 1901 the family were living at Percy Place, Lanchester. William was a Coal Miner Shifter and the family consisted of David (1891 Holmside), John William, Agnes Spark (1894 Hebburn), Robert Haswell (1895 Hebburn), Florence May (1899 Lanchester), and Annie (1900 Lanchester). By 1911 the family had moved to Hill Rise, Lanchester and had been joined by Eleanor (1904 )and Eva (1906). Father William was a Coal Miner Stoneman, John William was a Coke Yard Labourer and Robert was a Pony Driver.
John William married Elizabeth Farris on the 13th April 1914 at Lanchester Parish Church and their son William was born 7th February 1915. They lived at Newhouses Road, Esh Winning.
When he applied for the police service he was 5 feet 11 inches tall. He was appointed to Durham County Constabulary as PC571, 3rd class Constable. John William was posted to Stockton August 1914. 1st March 1915 he was appointed as a 1st Class Constable. He resigned as of 31st July 1915 to join His Majesty's Forces
John William's Service Record survives and he is recorded as both an engine driver and a police constable. He enlisted at Stockton on Tees 2nd August 1915 and joined the Royal Engineers. His home address was 13 Newhouse Road, Esh Winning. He embarked for France 7th March 1916. He rose through the ranks to Sergeant. John William Hunter was killed in action 31st July 1917 and is buried at Buffs Road Cemetery.
Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Acknowledgements: John Grainger
John William Hunter is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04as William Hunter, at Esh Winning on E67.01 at Aykley Heads on A41.01 and at Stockton on S138.51
