L/Cpl 12067 John Dandy

• Age: 20
• From: Walton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 19th December 1917
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

John was born in Walton, Liverpool on 08th April 1897 the second son of John and Mary Ellen Dandy of 28 Beaver Grove, Aintree. His siblings were Arthur Ernest, Annie, Alice, Emily and Lily. 

He was educated at Northcote School, Walton.

John enlisted on 11th August 1914 at Seaforth in the 11th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 12067. He described his occupation as General Labourer, both parents were advised to have deceased, and John had increased his age when advising that he was 19 years of age when in reality he was under age for posting overseas. However, he served with the BEF in France from May 1915. 

John transferred to the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment in November 1917 and was killed in action on 19th December 1917, aged 20, as a result of Trench Mortar bombing as he was holding his post in an advanced position.

It was reported that John was buried where he fell. His grave must have been subsequently destroyed as he is now commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. 

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour (volume 5, page 42) contains the following biography:

DANDY, JOHN, L.-Corpl., No. 12067, 19th (Service) Battn. The King's (Liverpool Regt.), 2nd s. of John Dandy, of 28, Beaver Grove, Aintree, Rigger, by his wife, Mary Ellen, dau. of John Thomas; b. Walton, Liverpool, co. Lancaster, 8 April, 1897; educ. Northcote Road Board School there; enlisted in the 11th Liverpool Regt. 11 Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May, 1915; transferred to the 19th Battn. in Nov. 1917, and was killed in action 19 Dec. following. Buried where he fell. His Commanding Officer, Capt. H.M. Docharty, wrote: "He was a most gallant soldier, and was killed by a trench-mortar bomb, while holding his post in a most advanced position at the front. He died instantaneously. He was a great favourite with all. He has left a gap in the ranks which cannot be filled."

Following his death his personal belongings were sent to his brother on 30th August 1918 and included:

Wallet, Religious Book, Photographs, Wrist watch (broken) and strap and finally a Postcard.

John is also commemorated on the memorials at St John the Evangelist's C. of E. Church, and Northcote Road Council School both in Walton.

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