Pte 16384 John McIntyre

John McIntyre (known as “Jack”)was born in Stockton Heath, Warrington in early 1897 the son of William McIntyre and his wife Mary (née Broady) who were married in 1888 in Salford.

Jack was baptised on the 19th March 1897 at St Thomas' Church, Stockton Heath. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 4 Bedford Street, Stockton Heath, Warrington. His father, William, is aged 36, and an iron manufacturers clerk born in Great Budworth, Northwich, his mother, Mary, is aged 37, and born in Stockton Heath. There are six children in the household, all of whom were born in Stockton Heath are: Frank aged 12, William S. aged 11, Maggie aged 9, Ethel aged 6, John aged 4, and Mary aged 1. Also present is Mary’s brother, 27 year old brewers clerk Fred Broady. His father soon takes over the Red Lion Hotel in Stockton Heath. 

On the 1911 Census the family are living in the Red Lion Hotel on London Road, Stockton Heath. His father, William, is aged 46, and is a licensed victualler, his mother, Mary, is aged 47 and she is assisting in the business. They have been married for 23 years, and have had six children, all of whom are resident in the household; Frank  aged 22 is a brewers clerk, William aged 21 is a builders clerk, Margaret 19  is a barmaid, Ethel 16 is at school, John 14 is at school, and Mary 11 also at school. Also present is 25 year old hotel waiter Nellie Lee. 

At the time of enlisting he was serving with Messrs. Wright and Hamlyn architects, Sankey-street.

John’s service record has not survived but based on L/Cpl 16381 William Leyland’s service we know his progress.   

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 02nd September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 16384.

From the 23rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

John shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07th November 1915. 

He would have seen action on the Somme throughout 1916 and early 1917. John then returned to England with some sort of pulmonary complaint after being wounded, and on the 04th April 1917 he was discharged from the Army receiving a Silver War Badge. 

He does have a pension card but no amount is quoted. 

John received his 3 medals, having qualified by virtue of his being overseas prior to 1916. 

John’s health remained problematic and he sadly died on the 07th March 1921 with lobar pneumonia, an infection and inflammation to a specific lobe or section of the lung. 

He was buried on the 10th March 1921 at St Thomas'nChurch, Stockton Heath.  

The family grave headstone reads:- 

In loving memory of  

JOHN  

Son of William and Mary McIntyre  

Died March 7th 1921 aged 24 years. 

Probate was granted on 29th April 1921:- 

MCINTYRE John of Red Lion in Stockton Heath Warrington architects articled assistant died 7 March 1921 Administration Chester 29 April to William McIntyre innkeeper. Effects £333 8s 2d. 

His father died, aged 66, on 15th July 1931. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday 15 July 1931: 

His mother died, aged 85, on the 9th December 1948. 

Probate was granted on 29th January 1949:- 

MCINTYRE Mary of 10 Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath Cheshire widow died 9 December 1948 Administration Liverpool 29 January to Frank McIntyre brewers agent. Effects £310 11s 1d. 

Grave photo courtesy of Len on Findagrave.com 

We currently have no further information on John McIntyre, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.