John Walter Hunter

Hunter was a member of the A.S.C. driving a lorry and was attached to 297th Siege Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery as part of the Ammunition Column. He was seriously wounded and died on 17 July 1917 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Grave Reference: XVI D 5

Inscription on family gravestone, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Amy Ruth the beloved and only daughter of Thomas and Amy Hunter, who died November 18th 1888 age 6years 9months. Not my will O Lord but thine be done. And of their son John Walter MT ASC killed in France July 17th 1917 aged 29 years. Interred at Lyssenthoek. Also of the above named Amy Hunter who died April 28th 1921 aged 68. Also of Maud Adelaide Emma Hunter who died June 21st 1931 aged 44 years.' Separate tablet in front of headstone: 'Also in loving memory of William Hunter died April 19th 1949 aged 63' Notices published 23rd July 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUNTER. – Died of wounds, July 17th, Driver John Walter Hunter. Nobly fell while doing his duty. – From sorrowing wife and baby. “HUNTER. – Died of wounds, July 17th, Driver John Walter Hunter, 84, Foxhall-road. Greater love hath no man than this, that he gave his life for his King and country. – From mother & brothers.” “HUNTER. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. J. W. Hunter, died of wounds July 17th, 1917. Too far away thy grave to see, but not too far to think of thee. – Sorrowing wife and daughter.” In memoriam published 17th July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUNTER. – In loving memory of Dvr. J. W.Hunter, M.T., A.S.C., died of wounds July 17th, 1917. – Sadly missed by mother, Will and Maud.” The previous year he was the driver of a tram that was involved in an accident that led to a four year-old child's death, Sydney Allsopp. Hunter was exonerated from any blame at the inquest held on 3rd May 1916 and a reported published on 4th May 1916 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- “A FATAL FAILURE. “Nottingham Tramcar's “Scoop” which Did Not Drop. “The second tramway fatality to occur within a few days in the Basford district was inquired into by the Nottingham City Coroner at Hyson Green yesterday. [3rd May 1916] “The victim was Sydney Allsopp, the four-year-old child of Amos Allsopp, of 45, Rydal-grove, Basford. “Mr. H. W. Day (Town Clerk's department) was present at the inquest, and Superintendent Barnaby watched the proceedings for the police. “It appeared from the evidence of the mother that the deceased child went out with his little sister and brother after dinner on Monday. During the afternoon they were seen in Vernon-road, near the Nottingham-road tram terminus, by a witness named Eliza Shaw. “Ran Across the Road. “The latter told the coroner that she saw one of the children, a boy, run across the road in front of a tramcar travelling towards Nottingham. “The boy Sydney followed and was knocked down. “The driver, John Walter Hunter, [1] said he shouted to the first boy as he passed in front of the car. Turning his head he saw the other boy in front of the car. It would have been impossible to avoid a collision. He stopped the car as soon as possible, and found the child underneath the “scoop,” which had not dropped. “Must Have Fallen Sideways. “Mr. W. Boot, the tramway works manager, said he was convinced that the gate on the front of the tramcar did not fall. He could not explain its failure to act, seeing that the statement of the eye-witness was that the boy was struck by the front of the car. His theory was that he must have fallen sideways and thus missed the gate. “Mr. Boot added that during 1915 ten people were picked up by the “scoop.” “A verdict of Accidental death was returned, and the driver was exonerated from blame.” [1] An attested man under Derby scheme at the time of the accident. Above notices and newspaper report are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918