John Edward's Story.
J. Rees is remembered on the Christ Church Memorial, Barnton and that he served with the Royal Field Artillery.
Cheshirebmd records a John Edward Rees birth in 1897 , The 1911 census finds John living with his grandparents, (paternal) in Caernarvon, John was aged 14 and at school. The 1901 census has John living on George Street, Barnton. Father and head of the family is James aged 30, a Stationary Engine Driver, with Ada his wife aged 25 and children Elisa 5, John 4, George 2 and Elizabeth 1.
Northwich Guardian 24th Oct. 1916 THE WAR. NORTHWICH.
WRITTEN IN “DEATH VALLEY” BARNTON MAN’S EXPERIENCES.
Gunner J. E. Rees of the R.F.A., son of Mr. James Rees, hairdresser of Runcorn Road, Barnton, in a letter to his parents, says:- “I am writing this letter in a gun-pit It is about eight o’clock and I am in bed. All the battery have been working extremely hard during the last few days under very great difficulties and we see shells flying around us all day long. We are in what you may call “No Mans Land” or as the troops up here describe it “Death’s Valley.” We are, however, doing our best and making the best of it, so we mustn’t grumble.”
“I had one of the narrowest escapes to-day that I’ve had since I came out. It was in the gun-pit outside, when I heard a big shell coming, so down I ducked, as flat as a kipper. It burst about 10yds from me and the earth was sent up in the air about 20 yards. When the earth and shrapnel had all fallen I got up and I had no sooner done so that I heard another coming but I escaped. A third came but I managed to stick it all right and then some people ask a soldier if he ever gets the wind up. They ought to come and have some.” Gunner Rees goes on to narrate a thrilling experience he had in a captured trench and concludes “I know it is October 6th but there is not a man here who knows what day it is. Don’t worry about me, however, but keep the home fires burning.”
Northwich Guardian 25th May 1917 GUNNER J. REES.
Mr. and Mrs James Rees of Barnton, have received news from a chaplain with forces at the front, that their son, Gunner J. Rees has been killed.
Northwich Guardian 1st June 1917 ROLL OF HONOUR. KILLED, GUNNER J. REES.
Gunner J. Rees of the Royal Field Artillery has been killed in action. Gunner Rees who was 20 years of age, was a son of Mr. and Mrs J. Rees, of Spencer Street, Barnton. Mrs Rees, sen., is a hairdresser on Runcorn Road. Gunner Rees joined up on December 31st 1915 and went to the front the following May having been on active service just twelve months when he met with his death. The enemy were heavily shelling a part of the British line and a shell penetrating a dug-out, killed Gunner Rees, five other privates and a sergeant.
Previous Good Luck.
In the last letter home, written five days before he was killed. Gunner Rees said I have been doing officer’s servant duty for the last month. We had been shelled heavily lately and my officer and my-self had to look after ourselves. I went through the same thing before, under shell fire three times being the first one there with the stretcher every time saving wounded officers and the NCO with me, got the D.C.M. I can reckon so far I have been as lucky as any man out here in not getting wounded or killed but I always trust in God and I shall still stick to it. I have been in places where the enemy has spotted me and he has put a shell close to me. Well, as soon as the shell has exploded I’ve gone and jumped in the shell hole for fear he put another one over and it’s a thousand to one he doesn't put it in the same place. I am still in the land of the living and still keep smiling. It’s a long time since I was home but I don’t care if it’s as long again if I get home safe, as I look forward to the good home I have left behind.
There’s no paper like the the Guardian. I forgot to tell you I saw Amy Wallis’s brother’s grave about five months ago. He was buried in a small cemetery behind the line. He was in the Rifle Brigade. There were a lot more of the regiment there too. Mrs Rees has another son in the Army.
Officer’s Letter.
In a letter to the mother, dated May 19th Lieutenant Turner of the battery writes:- “I have every regret to informing you that your son, Gunner Rees, was killed in action at 11:30 yesterday (Friday) morning. He died quite near to me and on the assurance of our doctor he met his end instantaneously. Two of his friends were with him at the time. Your son has been my orderly since my coming to the brigade and I assure you that I have lost a personal friend. We have had many pleasant talks in my dug-out about Northwich and Manchester, (my home) and I am sure your son looked upon as much as friend of his as he was mine. His character was of the highest and the whole battery, from the Major downwards, very much regret the loss you have sustained. You must get consolation from the fact that he met his end nobly and in the manner he would have wished had he was able to choose. I was present at his funeral at nine o’clock this Saturday morning. He has been laid to rest with many prayers from his comrades along side his friends. He is on the right-hand side of his sergeant and with seven others.
C.W.G.C. remember a John Edward Rees, Gunner, with the 53rd Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery, Service No 117019, who died 18th May 1917 aged 20 at the Philosophe British Cemetery Mazingarbe, France. (l.P.10.) With the additional information of (Served as Reece) Son of James and Ada Elizabeth Rees of 2 Spencer Street, Barnton, Northwich. (On that day, 18th May 1917, 8 other lads where killed and are buried at Philosophe British Cemetery Mazingarbe, 7 of which where serving with 53rd Bty 2nd Bde. R.F.A. including R.W. Bowers aged 23; P. Dearsley; Andrew Gill aged 21; Arthur Thomas Hammond aged 20; F. O’Toole; Harold Tempest aged 31; W. J. West.)
N.A.M.C. accepting the note from C.W.G.C. that John served under the name Reece we find a medal card for a Edward J. Reece, gunner, served with the Royal Field Artillery No 117019, awarded the British and Victory medals. T.o.W. and D.o.E. not addressed. There is no reference to his death. There are seven medal cards for lads named John Edward Rees but not with the service No 117019 nor for a John Rees with this service No.
B. M. & Co. R.o.H. Booklet, records a John Threlkeld Rees with the R.A.O.C. a returnee.
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