John William Espin
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John William Espin was the 3rd child and eldest son of Alfred and Emma Espin Born in Bessecar, Doncaster 7/7/1894. He appears to have been living on the estates of Maltby, Oldcotes area when his father died in 1909. Like brother George, at age 16 he was living away from home, but under the roof of farmer Piggot at Maltby. When the war came both John William and his brother, George, enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment at Worksop. Although both joined on the same day, 8th Jan 1915, and in the same Regiment, they were placed in different battalions and went their different ways in France.
Worksop Guardian 27 September 1918. Mr and Mrs Espin, Blyth Noray, have lost another son in the war in Sergt John William Espin, Lincolnshire Regiment. The news of Sergt Espin’s death was received with much regret in Blyth and sincere sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family. The gallant soldier died of wounds in hospital in France, on Sept 14th, and in a letter to his mother, deceased’s officer, Lieut. Frank Robinson says:- “I hope that it will relieve your mind a little to know that he suffered no pain whatever. His loss is very keenly felt by the officers and men of ‘D’ Company, with whom he was one of our most popular NCO’s. I am glad to say he was buried properly by a Padre, who will, no doubt write to you. If there is anything I can do for you, I shall be pleased to hear from you. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss.” Sergt Espin had been on active service nearly three years and had not previously been wounded. Before enlisting, which he did on the same day as his brother George Alfred Espin, Jan 8th 1915, he was employed at Mr Sheardown’s, Oldcotes Manor. He was well known in Oldcotes and Firbeck, having lived there six and a half years. He was trained at Lichfield and Newcastle-under-Lyme as a Lewis machine gunner and was sent out with his Battalion on Nov 5th 1915 to Mudros and thence to Egypt. In July 1916 he was in France and was at home on leave in August last. He was made a sergeant in April of this year. He was a brave and gallant soldier, one of the good lads Blyth has given to the war. A memorial service will be held at Blyth Church on Saturday evening October 6th.
Cemetery:- Lingy-St Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt. Research by Colin Dannatt
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