John William's Story.
Birkenhead News 23 September 1916Neston Man Succumbs to Gas.
Official notification has been received by Mr. and Mrs. George Thackwray, Olive Road, Neston, of the death of their youngest son, John William Thackray, from the effects of gas poisoning on September 3rd. He was a very patriotic youth, and one of the keenest members of the Boy Scouts attached to the Congregational Church. Deceased was also an ardent footballer, and was very popular amongst his companions, one of his greatest friends being Pte. W. H. Tozer, whose death and funeral we recorded last week.
Pte. Thackwray was one of the first to answer his countries call, and enlisted in the 13th Cheshires, proceeding to the front with the battalion. He has been wounded four times, and had only been out of hospital a few days when he fell a victim to the enemy’s poisonous gas.
John Thackwray’s photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth.