John William Baines
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William was the son of John and Phoebe Baines (née Dewsnap). His father John was born in Ragnall, Nottinghamshire, in about 1870. His mother Phoebe was born in Worksop in 1875, the daughter of John and Mary Dewsnap. Her family lived in Marecroft, Worksop. John and Phoebe were married in 1897 (reg. Worksop) and had three sons, one of whom died in infancy. All the children were born in Worksop: John William birth registered 1898 (J/F/M) bap. Worksop St Mary (Priory) 26 January 1898; George b. 1899 bap. St Mary 16 September 1899 d. 1899 and Albert Ernest. John and Phoebe were living on Abbey Street, Worksop, when their son John was baptised in 1898 and still living there when George was baptised the following year. However, by 1901 the family was living at 41 Marecroft, Worksop: John (31) a bricklayer's labourer, Phoebe and their two surviving sons, John (3) and Albert (under 1 year). Also in the household was a boarder, Frank Hearns (47), a coal hewer's filler. John and Phoebe were living apart by 1911. John has not yet been traced but Phoebe and her sons John, a pork butcher's errand boy, and Albert were living at 28 Gladstone Street, Worksop, where she was housekeeper to widowed Thomas Makin (41), a coal miner. Also in the hosuehold was Phoebe's brother, Harold Dewsnap (20), a coal hewer's filler. Phoebe was still living at 28 Gladstone Street when her son died in 1917. She probably died in 1919 (J/A/S Sheffield); other information suggests that she was still living with Thomas Makin.
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) John William Baines enlisted in July 1915. He served in Salonika in April 1916 but was drafted to Palestine the following year. He died of wounds in Palestine on 3 November 1917. He may have been buried in Beersheba Cemetery, if so, the grave was subsequently lost as he is now commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial (Panel 2). CWGC - History of the Jerusalem Memorial (extract): 'At the outbreak of the First World War, Palestine (now Israel) was part of the Turkish Empire and it was not entered by Allied forces until December 1916. The advance to Jerusalem took a further year, but from 1914 to December 1917 ... By 21 November 1917, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force had gained a line about five kilometres west of Jerusalem, but the city was deliberately spared bombardment and direct attack. Very severe fighting followed, lasting until the evening of 8 December, when the 53rd (Welsh) Division on the south, and the 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on the west, had captured all the city's prepared defences. Turkish forces left Jerusalem throughout that night and in the morning of 9 December, the Mayor came to the Allied lines with the Turkish Governor's letter of surrender. Jerusalem was occupied that day and on 11 December, General Allenby formally entered the city, followed by representatives of France and Italy ... Jerusalem War Cemetery was begun after the occupation of the city ... Within the cemetery stands the Jerusalem Memorial.' (www.cwgc.org)
John William's uncle, Ernest Edward Dewsnap, served with the Sherwood Foresters (636 Corporal) and was killed in action on 18 July 1915 aged 27. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Worksop Guardian 23 November 1917 - Pte. J. W. Baines 'On Friday, Mrs. Phoebe Baines, of 28, Gladstone Street, Worksop, received news that her son, Pte. John William Baines, of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, had died on November 3rd from wounds received whilst taking part in the fighting with the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces in Palestine. On Tuesday Mrs. Baines received a letter, dated October 23rd, from her son, in which he stated that he was quite well. Aged 19, last January, Pte. Baines joined H. M. Forces on July 19th, 1915, prior to which time he worked under the Shireoaks Colliery Co. at Steetley Colliery. He had previously been employed by Mr. A. H. Hewitt, of Ryton Street. He was sent to Salonika in April, 1916, and was drafted to Palestine in July this year. A good sportsman, he played for the Speedwell Football Club and just before enlisting he was a member of the Worksop Rangers. He was a well known and highly respected lad. His mother, who is an old Worksopian, had a brother, Pte. Ernest Dewsnap, killed in action in July, 1915. Much sympathy is expressed with her in her present loss.' Memorial Service recorded in the Worksop Guardian 30th November 1917. Retford & Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 25 December 1917: ‘Local Casualties. Sergeant Denman Wounded’. The report refers to a letter written in November from a hospital in Palestine by Sergeant James Arthur Denman to his parents in which he mentions: ‘I am sorry to say I have had one boy killed. They call him Baines, from Worksop, and I am writing to his mother. He was a good boy, and I was sorry to lose him. I am sorry to say we have had Sergt. Wheton (?) killed.’(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: payments were made in February 1919 to his mother and brother Albert but payments in 1920 were made to Albert and Thomas Makin.
