John Henry Lyons
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Surname 'LYON', CWGC 'Served as LYONS' John Henry was the son of Caleb and Ruth Lyons (née Shelton). His father Caleb Lyon was born in Oakham, Rutland, in 1869 (J/A/S Oakham), the son of Elizabeth Lyon (née Roberts). In 1871 Caleb was living with his mother, Elizabeth (35), and sister Kezia (10) in Oakham. His mother Ruth Shelton was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, in 1872 (J/F/M Basford-Poole). Caleb and Ruth were married at Ilkeston Holy Trinity in 1890 (O/N/D Basford). They had seven children of whom only six were living in 1911. Caleb b. Ilkeston 27 November 1891 (O/N/D Basford), John Henry b. Ilkeston 4 July 1893 (J/A/S Basford), Israel Isaac b. Mansfield 23 April 1895 (A/M/J Mansfield), Mabel b. Mansfield 1 February 1898 (J/F/M Mansfield), Gertrude b. 1902 (probably Gertie, A/M/J Mansfield) and Arthur b. abt. 1907 d. 1912 (J/F/M Mansfield) aged 5. Caleb, John, Isaac and Mabel were baptised at Mansfield St Mark's church on 1 March 1898. In 1891 Caleb (21) and Ruth (19) were living at Primrose Hill, Grass Street, Ilkeston, and their sons Caleb and John were born in Ilkeston in 1891 and 1893. However, in 1901 Caleb, a coal miner, and Ruth were living at 10 Peacock Street, Mansfield, with their four children, Caleb (9), John (7), Israel (5) and Mabel (3). By 1911 Caleb and Ruth had moved to 8 Garden Road, Mansfield, and had six children: Caleb (20) a coal miner, John Henry (18) and Israel (16) both pony drivers (underground), and Mabel (13), Gertrude (9) and Arthur (5) who were at school. Arthur died in 1912 (J/F/M Mansfield). The family home was at 15 Radford Street, Mansfield, when John died three years later in December 1914. John George had a son, John Henry Lyons Smith (b. 10 February 1913, J/F/M Southwell), by Kate Smith, who was listed among the mourners at John's funeral in December 1914. His son died in 1989. Caleb snr died in 1924 (O/N/D Mansfield) and Ruth in 1954 (A/M/J Mansfield).
Lyon served as LYONS John Henry Lyon served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment); he enlisted in the regiment on 19 June 1912. John served in France from 8 September 1914 and six weeks later on 20 October 1914 suffered gun shot wounds to his thigh and side while serving near Bois Grenier. He was medically evacuated to England and died from his wounds at the 3rd South General Hospital, Oxford, on 4th December 1914. He was buried with full miiitary honours in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery on 8 December 1914. John qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Pte John Henry Lyon the beloved son of Caleb & Ruth Lyon who was wounded at Lille Octr. 20th & died at Oxford Military Hospital Dec. 4th 1914. Aged 22 years.’ Article published in the Nottingham Evening Post 7th December 1914:- “MANSFIELD SOLDIER'S DEATH. “SHOT WHILE HELPING A COMRADE. “Private J. H. Lyon, [sic] of the Notts. and Derby Regiment, whose home is at Radford-street, Mansfield, has died at Oxford Hospital from serious bullet wounds which he received at Lille on October 20th. The gallant soldier was attending to a comrade's injury when he got shot in the thigh and side. He has been in the Oxford Hospital for some weeks, and after the first operation the news received from him was that he was going on nicely. Another operation had to be performed last Thursday, [3rd December 1914] and from this he never rallied, death ensuing on Friday. [4th December 1914] The funeral will take place at the Mansfield cemetery to-morrow afternoon.” [8th December1914] 'In memoriam' notice published 1st December 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LYON. – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. John Henry Lyon, 2nd Batt. Notts. and Derbys, wounded at Lille on October 20th, died December 4th, 1914. Forever in our thoughts. – From father, mother, and all.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 11 December 1914 (photograph): ‘On the 4th inst., John Henry Lyon Radford Street, aged 22 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 11 December 1914: ‘Military Funeral at Mansfield. Impressive Scene. Private John Henry Lyon, son of Mr and Mrs Lyon, of Radford-street, Mansfield, who was wounded at La Bassee and died in Oxford Hospital, was laid to rest in the cemetery at Mansfield on Tuesday afternoon. It was the first local funeral of a soldier since the outbreak of the war, and consequently more than quite ordinary interest was centred in the obsequies. It was a pathetic coincidence that the death of the first wounded soldier in Mansfield Hospital should take place on the day of the funeral of a Mansfield man. The death in the hospital was that of a North countryman. Although a bitterly cold wind was blowing there could be close upon a thousand people at the grave side on Tuesday. The dead soldier was accorded military honours, his coffin being draped with the Union Jack, whilst preceding the mourning coaches walked a firing party of the Notts and Derbys from Newark, and following the coffin were 50 scouts of the 1st Mansfield YMCA and St Mark’s Troops, the official accompanying them being Mr CF Elliot Smith (the district commissioner) and Scout masters RH Wiggins, H Royce, and CR Woodward. The military party, who walked with arms reversed, numbered 26, and they included amongst them some Mansfield soldiers back from the front, Private Scully, of the Notts and Derbys who was wounded in the same action as Lyon, one of his fingers being blown away. The coffin was borne to the graveside by four soldiers, and the service was conducted by the Rev. HI Day (vicar of St Mark’s). The last words of the committal prayers having been uttered, the firing party sprang to attention and discharged three volleys over the grave, and this was followed by the buglers sounding the ‘Last Post.’ The mourners were confined to the family and there were several beautiful wreaths. The mourners were: Father and Mother, Caleb, Mabel, Israel and Gertrude (brothers and sisters) [names of others] ... Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the following: [names included] mother and father, brothers and sisters Caleb, Isaac, Mabel, Gertie, and Lucy ... Miss Kate Smith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers & Index Cards: Kate Smith of Edingley, Southwell, 'unmarried wife' and child John Henry Lyons Smith born 10 February 1913. Mansfield Reporter, 2 April 1920 (extract): ‘St Mark’s War Memorial. Impressive Dedication. Striking Address by Former Mansfield Priest. In beautiful springlike weather, the imposing Calvary which has been erected in the churchyard of St Mark’s, as a memorial to those from the parish who fell in the Great War, was yesterday dedicated with full Catholic ceremonial ... The names of those belonging to the parish who made the supreme sacrifice are on the base of the Calvary, and they are as follows: - John H Lyons.'
