Pte 15805 John Stuart Gordon

• Age: 23
• From: Toxteth, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 22nd January 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.G.30

John Stuart Gordon was born on the 25th December 1892 (Christmas Day) and was baptised on the 08th January 1893 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, to parents John Bernard Gordon and his wife Rachel (née Mansergh) who were married on the 18th September 1880 at St Michael in the Hamlet Church, Toxteth. John was a 24 year old joiner of Stanhope Street, his father, James was a greengrocer, whilst Rachel was aged 22 of Mill Street, her father, William, was a farmer. He was their only son.  

In 1901 the family lived at 5 Treborth Street, Toxteth. John is 8 years of age and the youngest child in the household. His father, John, is a 45 year old joiner born in Liverpool, whilst his mother, Rachel is 43 and shown as having been born in Newton. His siblings are listed as; Ivy M., aged 19, Ann, aged 17, Mary, aged 13, Lillian, aged 13 and Rachel, aged 10. 

In 1911 the family are at the same address, when John senior now recorded as aged 58 is a joiner with the Mersey Dock Board and his mother is 55 now shown as born in Kirby Lonsdale. His parents advise that they have been married for 30 years and have had seven children of whom six have survived.  John now 18 is a clerk with a “tube merchant”. His siblings are recorded as follows; Ivy 29, Annie 27 and described as a housemaid, May is 23 and a dressmaker, Lily is also 23 and a shop assistant and Rachel who is 20 and a dressmaker.

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 02nd September 1914, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15805. He gave his age as 21 years 8 months, and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5' 7” tall, weighed 125lbs, 34” chest, was of fresh complexion, and had grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Roman Catholic and his next of kin was his father, John, then living at 142 Windsor Street, Toxteth. His service papers show that John declared another sister Florence R. aged 28.  

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. On 13^th September 1915 at Salisbury Camp, John was “confined to barracks” for 2 days for “Laughing on Parade”. He arrived in France on the 07^th November 1915.

John was killed in action on 22^nd January 1916,aged 23.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 09th February 1916:

– Killed in Action – GORDON – January 22 killed in action in France John Stuart Gordon 17^th Battalion Liverpool ‘Pals’ only son of Mr & Mrs Gordon 142 Windsor Street.

Also a report in the Liverpool Echo dated 15^th February 1916

Information has been received by Mr.and Mrs.Gordon of 142,Windsor-street,Liverpool, of the death of their only son, Pte. John Stuart Gordon, of the 17th Batt. K.L.R. - the 1st "Pals." Just before leaving for France he received his "cross-guns," having passed the markman-ship test. A letter received by his mother from his Officers states that his loss is irreparable to himself and to the company, with whom he was a general favourite. He was in his twenty third year, and joined the "Pals" at the commencement of the war, being then engaged on the clerical staff of a Liverpool firm. He is buried in the same grave as another comrade who fell at the same time.

John’s service record shows that he was initially buried in Maricourt Cemetery, near Albert, as reported by Revd. M. Linton, attached to 89^th Infantry Brigade, and John’s body was one of over 260 British dead removed to Cerisy-Gailly after the Armistice.

He now rests at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery in Grave II G 30, France, his headstone bears the epitaph:

"HE LIVES WITH US IN MEMORY STILL"

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme and a number of small cemeteries including:- MARICOURT MILITARY CEMETERY which was at the South-East corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July, 1916. It contained the graves of 887 French soldiers, 260 from the United Kingdom and six German.  The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 2s 10d, and £5 10s War Gratuity went to his father John, a Pension was granted to his mother, Rachel, who was wholly impaired. 

A few personal items were returned:- letters, photo, safety razor. There is a note in his service papers saying he went out to France with a lot more items.

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 47 Right

Liverpool Institute (Now the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts)

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