Pte 300239 John William Dunn

• Age: 22
• From: Newton-le-Wilows, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 29th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Etretat Churchyard Extension
  Panel Ref: II.B.9

John William Dunn was born in 1895 and baptised 18th August 1895 at St Peter's Church, Newton-Le-Willows. He was the son of William and Jessie Dunn (nee McLean), of 110, High St., Newton-le-Willows who had married in Scotland in 1892..

He was a former pupil at St. Peter's School. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 59, Mill Lane, Newton in Makerfield, Warrington. John William is aged 5 and lives with his parents and three siblings. His father, William, is aged 39, born in Canterbury, Kent in 1862 and is a domestic coachman, whilst his mother, Jessie, is aged 35, born in Scotland in 1866 with no occupation listed. His three siblings are recorded as: Catherine aged 7, born 1894, Archibald aged 3 born 1898 and Bessie aged 1, born 1900. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at Newton Park Lodge, Newton Le Willows, Lancashire. John William is now aged 15 and is a shipping clerk. His  father, William now aged 49, is a coachman and his mother Jessie is aged 45, with no occupation listed, her place of birth is now shown as Blackmount, Argyleshire, Scotland. They have been married for nineteen years. Their four children are still living with them, apart from John they are listed as; Catherine aged 17, is a typist, Archibald aged 13 is a whipper in for hunting and Bessie aged 11 is at school.

Prior to enlisting, John was employed in the accountancy department of the White Star Line.

John William enlisted in Knowsley Park, Prescot, and originally served as Private 250352, Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry before a transfer to the 18^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300239.

He died of wounds on the 29^th March 1918, aged 22 during the German Spring Offensive. 

He now rests at Etretat Church Yard Extension, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"TILL THE DAY BREAKS"

In December 1914, No.1 General Hospital was established in Etretat and it remained there until December 1918. In July 1917, it was taken over by No.2 (Presbyterian USA) Base Hospital Unit, but it continued to operate as a British hospital. The first seven burials took place among the French civil graves but in February 1915, two plots were set aside for Commonwealth burials in the churchyard. These were filled by December 1916 and from then until December 1918, the extension was used. ETRETAT CHURCHYARD contains 264 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one German grave. ETRETAT CHURCHYARD EXTENSION contains 282 First World War burials and four from the Second World War. There are also 12 German graves in the extension. The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

He is also commorated on the family headstone in Newton-Le-Willows Cemetery. The Inscription on the headstone reads

John William (Jack) the beloved son of William and Jessie Dunn Died of Wounds in France March 1918 Aged 22 years.

At the time of John's death, his father was serving on the Western Front as a vet and he had a brother with the Royal Engineers "somewhere in the Eastern arena".

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Jessie.

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