CWGC Headstone
Photo: Northern Echo
Photo: Dorothy Hall
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Cant; husband of Jane Cant, of 21, Front St., Kirk Merrington, Ferryhill, Co. Durham.
In Kirk Merrington Churchyard is a flower block which reads:-
In loving memory of
Jane Cant
died 27th Jan. 1960
aged 69 years
wife of the late
John T. Cant
Killed in France in 1914
Paulinr Priano has submitted the following:-
John Thomas Cant was born February 1883 in Evenwood, County Durham, son of John T. Cant born Walkerfield, County Durham, August 12th 1858-1924 and mother Hannah Elsey born in Byers Green August 20th 1864-died July 11th 1931 in Sedgefield. They were married June 1882 in Bishop Auckland, his father worked as a coal miner (hewer). In 1911 the family was living at 74, Dean Bridge Row, Chilton, Ferry Hill. He was the eldest of 6 surviving children (one deceased) 3 boys and 3 girls. John Thomas married Jane (Jennie) Lowery in 1912, they had three children, Rose Ellen born April 7th 1911, Lily born July 4th 1913 and John Thomas born August 12th 1914-1995 Bishop Auckland and at the time of his enlistment were living at 21, Front Street, Kirk Merrington.
John Thomas had been part of the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry Reserve for a period of 12 years prior to the outbreak of war but by trade was a coal miner working as a hewer. He enlisted for a period of one year, September 1st 1914, and was assigned to the 4th Durham Light infantry Special Reserve for basic training. His record describes him as 5 foot 8 ˝ inches tall with brown hair and eyes, aged 31 years 8 months. January 4th 1915 he was ordered to France to join his unit in the field, via Southampton, as part of the Expeditionary Force, 2nd Battalion, 18th Brigade, 6th Division, and did so January 25th 1915. He was sent April 18th 1915 to the 6th Division Rest Station suffering from myalgia, muscle strain, remaining there from April 19th-25th before returning to his unit.
Private John Thomas Cant 4/9455, June 11th 1915 was killed in action, place not stated and buried, “ near Potijze 150 yards north of the cross roads.”
Prior to his death his wife had very little written news from him, so much so, that she wrote to the Infantry Division in York the following, “Please could you let know whereabouts of my husband as I have missed getting letter this last two weeks, the address of him, Pte. J.T. Cant 9455, C Coy 2nd D.L. Infantry, 6th Infantry Division, Expeditionary Force France, let me know as soon as possible, Mrs Cant 15 Front Street Kirk Merrington Ferry Hill. His father wrote a similar letter April 4th 1915 and according to the records the only response that his wife Jane received was June 22nd 1915 giving confirmation of his death. Jane was entitled to a pension for herself and the three children which she applied for. The War Office however questioned her claim as Rose Ellen was born in 1911 prior to her marriage to John Thomas and requested proof of paternity in the form of birth certificates for all three children. These were supplied to them June 29th 1915 but it was not until December 12th 1915 that Jane was awarded as of December 27th a weekly payment of 20/6 (twenty shillings and six pence) for herself and all three children.
May 20th 1920 his widow received his Memorial Scroll and Plaque and in addition confirmation of awards 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Unfortunately, October 9th 1920 the family received further upsetting news from the Infantry Records office, York in the form of a letter stating, “Madam, I beg to inform you that, owing to an arrangement with the French and Belgian Governments to remove all scattered graves for concentration in proper cemeteries, it has been necessary to exhume the body of the late No.4/9455 Pte. John Thomas CANT, 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, for reburial at Grave A1 12 Potijze The Burial Ground, British Cemetery, 3/4 miles north east of Ypres.” Jane was assured that ” the work of reburial has been carried out with every measure of care and reverence,” and with, “the appropriate religious service.”
In God’s Loving Care, Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements also to Carol Hird who provided the photo from the Northern Echo Kirk Merrington Roll of Honour.
John Thomas Cant is remembered in Chilton on C107.01, C107.04, and C107.12, in Kirk Merrington K26.01 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 148
