John King
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John King was the son of Daniel King and his first wife Mary (née Haywood). His father was born in Codnor, Notts/Derbys, in 1860 and in 1881 was a colliery banksman living in Hucknall, a lodger in the home of John Berridge, a coal miner, and his wife and children. His mother Mary Haywood was born in Bulwell, Nottingham, in about 1862. His parents were married at Bulwell General Baptist Chapel in 1886. Daniel declared on the 1911 Census that he had had two children who would have been Walter (b. Shirebrook 1890) and John (b. Bulwell 1892) who were living with him. However, on the 1891 Census there was a daughter Edith Ann (King) aged 4 (b. Bulwell), possible birth registration Edith Ann Haywood 1886 (J/F/M Basford), and there may have been another son, also John, birth registered 1887 (J/A/S Basford, mother's maiden name Haywood) who died in 1887 (O/N/D). In 1891 Daniel, a coal miner, and Mary (29) were living on Portland Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, with their children Edith Ann (4) and Walter (5 months). Edith has not yet been traced on civil records after this date. Mary King died in 1902 (reg. J/F/M Mansfield) and in 1901 the widowed Daniel and his sons Walter and John, were lving at 42 Portland Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, in the home of a widow, Agnes Gunthorpe (42), a shirt maker, and her two young children. Daniel married secondly Emma Alsop in 1902 and in 1911 they were living at 78 Albert Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, with his sons Walter a collier labourer, and John a cotton 'throwster piecer.' Daniel King was still living at 78 Albert Street when he died in Nottingham General Hospital on 12 December 1919. Probate was awarded to his surviving son Walter, a colliery screensman. Daniel's widow, Emma, probably died in 1926.
2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps The 2nd Battalion served in France from August 1914. John King enlisted in February 1915 and after training at Winchester and Sheerness served in France from June 1915. He was reported missing or wounded in action three months later on 25 September 1915 and his death on that date was confirmed early in November. Although there was confirmation that he had been buried, presumably on the battlefield, his grave was later lost and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (Panel 101 and 102). John qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mansfield Reporter, 26 November 1915: ‘Mansfield Woodhouse. Death of Rifleman King. We regret to announce the death of Rifleman John King, younger son of Mr Daniel King of Albert-street, Mansfield Woodhouse, at the age of 23 years. He enlisted in the 2nd KRRC on February 2nd, and had training at Winchester and Sheerness, going to France in June. His friends had heard nothing from him for three weeks and were greatly concerned about him, when on Nov. 4th came the brief news that Rifleman King was missing after the engagement at [blank] on the 25th September. No further news had been received until Friday last, when the official notice of his death was received: ‘Killed in action or died of wounds,’ adding that he was buried under command of Captain Styles. In his last letter he had said he hoped to be home soon, but not, of course, until the war was over.’ (www.britishnwespaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his brother Walter was his sole legatee Mansfield Reporter, 19 December 1919: ‘Mansfield Woodhouse. Deaths. It is also with much regret we record the death of Mr Daniel King, of Albert-street, which took place in the Nottingham hospital on Friday. Deceased, who had been ill for about 12 months, was admitted into the hospital for an operation and died under the anaesthetic after being in the hospital only a week. Mr King, who was a life long resident in the parish, was much respected. He had a genial and cheery disposition, and was well liked by all who knew him. He was in his 60th year. For many years he was a teacher at the Baptist Church. The interment took place on Tuesday at the old cemetery in Welbeck-road, the Rev A Briggs officiating.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
