In Howden le Wear (St. Mary) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of K/29118 Stoker 1st Class John William Kavanagh, serving on H.M.S. Amazon with the Royal Navy who died 27/10/1916.

The son of Michael and Margaret Kavanagh, of Howden le Wear, Co. Durham.

The headstone reads:-

In
loving memory of
John William Kavanagh
beloved son of
Michael and Margaret
Kavanagh
of Howden le Wear
Killed in action 27th October 1916
on H.M.S. Amazon
aged 26 years

Also Mary their daughter
died June 19th 1903
aged 6 years

Also of the above named
Margaret Kavanagh
who died June 29th 1929
aged 63 years

Also the above named
Michael Kavanagh
who died June 23rd 1933 aged 71 years

Rest in Peace

His story is told in: Yuill, Anne, ed., The Villages of Howden le Wear and Fir Tree: Remembering Our Fallen: The Great War 1914-1918; Howden le Wear History Society and Relativity; 2015; ISBN 978-0-9571257-2-8

John William Kavanagh is remembered at Howden le Wear on H139.01, H139.02 and H139.07 and  in our List of Ships’ Crews.