John William Meakin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William Meakin known as William was born in 1883 the son of Benjamin a brick works stoker and Sarah Meakin (née Glover). Benjamin was born in 1859 at Newton Burgoland, Leicestershire, Sarah Glover in 1867 at Anstey, Leicestershire. Married in 1883, they had 15 children 12 surviving infancy. Listed on the 1901/1911 censuses were Alice b.1881, John William b.1883, Edward b.1886, Harry b.1888, Joseph b.1892,Walter Richard b.1894, Arthur George b.1898, Camilla Rose b.1900, Frederick b.1902, Cyril Bertie b.1904 and Florence b.1907. In 1911, the family was living at Manning Cottages, Manning Terrace, Meashaw. John Wiliam married Florence Maud Stone in 1907 and their daughter Rhoda Alice was born in 1909 at Measham. In 1911, they lived at 10 Garratt’s Yard, Bedworth. With effect from 21/4/1919, Florence was awarded a weekly pension of 20s/5d.
John William Meakin a pre-war regular soldier was mobilised on 25th August 1914 at Ashby, Leicestershire and posted to the 3rd battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He landed in France on 12th Decemeber 1914. On 8th September 1917 he received a gun shot wound to the buttocks and transferred to England on 23rd September 1917. Following recovery he returned to the Western Front on 9th April 1918 and joined his unit in the field on 11th April 1918. On 20th June 1918 he was transferred to the 5th battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 27th September 1918. Vis-En-Artois memorial, France, Panel 5
On 24th September 1918, Meakin distinguished himself after coming under heavy fire during the action at Pontruet. “.... when the company was doing an attack. A machine gun opened fire on the company, but before much damage could be done your son dashed forward and put the crew out of action.” [1] [1] Hucknall Dispatch, 13th February 1919. Above information is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
