John Oliver Hutchinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Oliver was the third son of William and Elizabeth Hutchinson (née Litchfield). His parents William and Elizabeth were married at Nottingham Holy Trinity in March 1873 and had six children, one died in childhood and the other as a young adult: William Henry b. Nottingham birth registered 1874 (J/F/M), John Oliver birth registered 1876 (J/F/M) d. 1880, Ellen b. Kimberley 1878 d. 1898 (buried January, Lenton St Anthony) and Mary Louise birth registered 1883 (J/F/M), John Oliver b. 14 June 1885, bap. 26 February 1888 St Anthony, and Harry b. 1887 who were born in Lenton The family was living in Lenton at the time of the 1881 Census and in 1891 William, a leather dresser, his wife who was working as a cotton winder, and their children William Henry a labourer, Ellen, Mary, John and Harry were living in Walker Yard, Commercial Street, Lenton. The eldest daughter, Ellen, died in 1898 aged 19. William snr. had died by the time of the 1901 Census when his widow Elizabeth was recorded at 23 Commercial Street, with her three youngest surviving children: Mary who, like her mother, was a cotton winder, John a cotton threader and Harry an errand boy. The eldest son, William Henry, had married in 1895 and in 1901 he, his wife Eliza and their two sons were living on Leopold Street, Nottingham. Elizabeth was still living at the same address in 1911, but only Harry, a store keeper (cycle maker) was still at home. Mary had married Francis Otter in 1907 and they and their son were living off Union Road, Nottingham. John Oliver married Minnie Stevenson (b. 1887) at New Basford St Augustine in February 1906. Minne (20), a lace dresser, and John, a 'cycle cutter', were both living at 5 Raven Terrace, Basford, at the time of their marriage. The couple had four children, Mary Elizabeth b. June 1906 and John Oliver b. 1907 who were born in Basford and Harry b. 1909 and Grace b. 1915 (d. 1926) who were born in Lenton. In 1911, John a lace threader, Minnie a lace dresser and their children, Mary, John and Harry were living at 4 Hackney Yard, Spring Close, Lenton, The youngest child, Grace, was born four years later. The family was still living at the same address in December 1917 when John snr. was presented with the Military Medal. The later CWGC record also gave 4 Hackney Yard as John's parents' address although John's father had predeceased him. (See 'Extra information.') In 1926, when John's youngest child, Grace, died, his widow was living at 28 Warwick Street, Lenton. Minnie may have moved to Fulwood Crescent, Aspley, Nottingham, by the time the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. She died in 1962.
CWGC: 'Royal Fusiliers 36th Labour Bn transf. to (Serjt. 116401) 195th Coy. Labour Corps.' Formerly 15th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment (24145 Sergeant). The 15th (Service) Battalion of Kitchener's New Armies had been formed as a Bantam battalion in February 1915 and served in France from February 1916. The Labour Corps was formed in early 1917 replacing earlier labour companies. It employed men who were either a lower category of medical fitness than required for the infantry (A1) or may have been infantry who were temporarily below the required level of physical fitness. The Royal Fusiliers 36th Labour Battalion was drawn from its Bantam Battalion but also took infantrymen from other Bantam battalions. John received the Military Medal which was awarded when he was serving with the Labour Corps (gazetted 19 November 1917). It is not known when John transferred to the 195th Company but it was awarded a number of Military Medals resulting from work it carried out in the area of Ypres in the late summer/early autumn of 1917. The Military Medal was presented to Sergeant Hutchinson by the Mayor of Nottingham on 22 December 1917 at the Nottingham Exchange Hall. (See 'Extra information.') He was killed in action on 20 May 1918 and is buried in Le Vertannoy British Cemetery, Hinges, France (grave ref. B 17). John qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) did not serve in theatre until 1916 so he did not qualify for the 1914/15 Star. CWGC - History of Le Vertannoy British Cemetery (extract): The hamlet of Le Vertannoy is close to the small village of Hinges which is 2km from the town of Bethune. 'The cemetery was begun in April 1918, during the Battles of the Lys [7-29 April], and was used by field ambulances, burial officers and fighting units until the following September.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Hutchinson, of 4, Hackney Yard, Spring Close, Lenton, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Silent sorrow everlasting love sadly missed loving wife and children' “MEDAL FOR A “BANTAM.” “Interesting Presentations at Nottm Exchange Hall. “An interesting little ceremony took place at the Nottingham Exchange Hall on Saturday, [22nd December 1917] the Mayor presenting Military Medals awarded to two local soldiers— Sergeant J. O. Hutchinson (Royal Fusiliers), [1] whose home is at 4, Hackney-yard, Spring-close, Lenton, and Private W. J. Dexter (Northumberland Fusiliers), [2] of 9, Trevitt-street, Robin Hood-chase, Nottingham. Among those present were the Sheriff of Nottingham (Mr. H. Offiler), Mr. C. M. Hitch (the United States Consul), Mr. A. Richardson, M.P., Colonel Donajowsky, Colonel Formby, and Mr. J. Clarkson. In making the presentation the Mayor complimented the men on the gallantry they have displayed, and expressed the hope that they would return to do their duty as citizens. He was particularly pleased to make the presentation to Sergeant Hutchinson, in view of the fact that he was originally a member of the Bantam Battalion raised in the city.” [3] [1] 'London Gazette,' 19th November 1917 (won with the Labour Corps) [2] 'London Gazette,' 22nd January 1917 [3] 'Nottingham Daily Express,' 24th December 1917 Note: L/Cpl. Walter James Dexter, M.M., “C” Company, 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who received his Military Medal at the same ceremony as John Hutchinson, was wounded and taken prisoner on 21st March 1918. He succumbed to his wounds on 22nd April 1918 and is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel. Walter was the 25 year-old son of Samuel Smedley and Eliza Ann Dexter, 9 Trevitt Street, Nottingham. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, 31 May 1918: ‘Sergeant Hutchinson, Labour Corps, who lived at Lenton, and recently received the Military Medal in Nottingham, is now reported killed in action, May 20th. His OC writes stating that he will be much missed by his brother NCOs.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Minnie Hutchinson was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named Minnie and her four children, address Spring Close, Lenton. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths,’ 24 September 1926: ‘Hutchinson. On September 23rd, Grace, aged 11. Died of diptheria. Beloved daughter of Minnie Hutchinson, 28, Warwick-street.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam,’ 23 September 1927: ‘Hutchinson. In ever-loving remembrance of our dear Grace, who died September 23rd, 1926. Some day we shall understand. Mother, brothers, and sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
