CLS Chronicle 23/11/1917
In Pelton Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
Private Fred Clasper
who died June 30th 1918
aged 21 years
Also Private John Clasper
who was killed in action
October 26th 1917 aged 31 years
beloved sons of George and
Mary Ann Clasper Pelton Fell
The strife is o'er, the battle done.
Chester Lads (& Lasses) For Ever a Heritage Lottery Fund supported project by Chester-le-Street Heritage Group has submitted the following:-
John was born 7th March 1886 to parents George and Mary Ann and was one of 11 children. George 1875-1954, Elizabeth 1879-1907, Richard 1881-1954, Mary 1883-1923, Jane 1889-1920, Lavinia 1892-1956, Thomas, 1894,1917, Fred 1896-1918 and Isabella 1899-1980.
John married Mary Ann Shaw in 1909, in the 1911 census he was a coal miner. At the time of his death Mary Ann lived at 15 Pine Street, Grange Villa. The couple had three sons John born 21st July 1910, Frederick born 24th March 1913 and Robert born 1915. “Robbie” was to die just a month after his father on 29th November 1917 and is buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery Pelton
Prior to his enlistment on 24th March 1915 he was a member of the Pelton Colliery Ambulance Corps. In May 1915 he joined the Field Ambulance. On the 6th June 1917 John was appointed Shoemaker to 1st (RN) Field Ambulance.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 16/11/1917 reports:-
Pelton Ambulance Member Killed
Information has been received by Mrs Clasper, 15 Pine Street, Grange Villa, that her husband was killed in action in France on October 26th. Deceased was well known at Pelton Fell where he had been employed the whole of his working life, was a stretcher bearer and was with the Dardanelles Expedition. It is nearly three years since he enlisted and during that time he had only once been home on leave. He was a member of the Pelton Colliery Ambulance Corps and was universally respected. He leaves a widow and three children to mourn his loss.
John was one of three Clasper brothers to die in an eight month period, brother Thomas died 9th December 1917 and his younger brother Frederick 3rd DLI died 30th June 1918 and his buried Pelton Cemetery, near Chester-le-Street. Just behind Frederick’s headstone are 2 memorial stones, one to the two brothers and the other for his mother Mary Ann who died 16 May 1919 aged 62
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
John's brother Frederick also died in WW1.
John's son Frederick was killed in action 9th February 1942 serving with the The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Field Regiment, Royal Artillery and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
John Clasper is remembered at Chester-le-Street on C105.01, C105.12, C105.15 and and C105.40 at Pelton on P26.01 at Pelton Fell on P27.01 and P27.04 and at West Pelton on W112.01
