John's Story.
Address 2 Church View, Runcorn
John was the son of Mrs Louisa Dunbavand and the late Frank Warburton (Died 1900 aged 29).
He was employed at the Salt Union works at Weston Point, Runcorn before enlisting in Chester on 11th June 1917
John was admitted to Thorpe Norfolk War Hospital on 21st Jan 1918 with acute tonsillitis and septicaemia passing away at 02:45am the following morning.
His service records are available on line, and his death is described in some detail, he appeared to have suffered greatly from the infection.
His body was returned to Runcorn buried in the family plot Runcorn Cemetery, section 15, grave 186.
His mother received his memorial scroll and plaque on 13th December 1920. She married Richard Dunbavand whose occupation was that of a waterman, he died in 1941 aged 72. Louisa died in 1920 aged 49.
The 23rd battalion was only formed in 1917 and did not go out to France until the 20th May 1918, and fought at Ypres in September – October 1918.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth with assistance from Percy Dunbavand