John William Key
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John William Key known as William John was born on 23rd July 1890 at Cuckney: and was the son of Charles a colliery labourer and Mary Key née Soar of 7 Mount Pleasant, Warsop. His father Charles was born in 1858 at Cottam, his mother Mary Soar was born in 1866 at Warsop, they were married in 1885 their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield registration district, they went on to have 11 children, sadly two died in infancy or ealy childhood, their surviving children were John William b1890, Minnie b1892, Harry b1897 all were born in Cuckney, further children were, Elizabeth b1899, William b1901, Arthur b1904, Edith b1907, Alice b1910 and Charles Frederick b1912 all were born in Warsop. In the 1911 census the family are living at 7 Mount Pleasant, Warsop and are shown as Charles Key 53 yrs a colliery labourer, he is living with his wife Mary 45 yrs and their children, John William 20 yrs a colliery labourer, Harry 14 yrs a colliery labourer, Elizabeth 12 yrs a scholar, Lillian 10 yrs a scholar, Arthur 7 yrs, Edith 4 yrs and Alice 1 year old. John William married Alma Jane Swift (born 9th March 1894 Newbold, Derbyshire ) on 27th March 1915 at the Mansfield registry office, they went on to have a son Clifton Key who was born in 1915 but died in 1916. His widow Alma, lived at 12 Park Street, Mansfield Woodhouse with her mother and was awarded a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week which commenced on 4th June 1917.
Private John William Key served as William John Key he enlisted May 1916 and initially served with the service number 25401 with the North Staffordshire Regiment. He went missing and was later confirmed as killed in action on 12th October 1916 whilst serving with the 2nd battalion Lancashire Fusiliers having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser; 12/04/1917: 'Pte John William Key of 12 Park Street, Mansfield Woodhouse has been killed in action. Initially reported missing.' Mansfield Reporter, 13 April 1917: ‘Another Mansfield Woodhouse Soldier Killed. The wife of Private John William Key, of 12, Park-street, Mansfield Woodhouse, received notification of her husband’s death in action, in France, on Good Friday morning. Mrs Key is at present staying with her mother-in-law, Mrs Key, of Mount Pleasant, Warsop. It appears that Pte. Key was reported missing as long ago as October 12th last. It was hoped that he had been taken prisoner, but the above information dispels any such hope. Pte. Key was attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers and enlisted in May, 1916. He had been in France since August. Previous to enlistment he was employed at the Sherwood Colliery. He was most highly respected by all who knew him, and much sympathy goes out to his wife and parents in the loss they have sustained. We understand that one of Pte. Key’s chums, who was by his side when he fell, is lying in Warrington hospital, and he has promised to let Mrs. Key have all particulars as soon as possible.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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