John Dykes's Story.
Born in 1895 to Mary and John Holt in Macclesfield. His dad, a shipwright then moved to Runcorn.
In 1901 the family is found living at 18 York Street, a small 2 up , 2 down terraced house. In the census they have 9 children living in this small house, but by 1911, the family are now only 6 with John having died in 1905 aged 54, leaving Mary to bring up the children. These were , Eva (32), Fred (28), Arthur (21), John (16) and Sydney (13), Mary Elizabeth had moved out and died in 1914 aged 27. Harry had married Mary Ellen and moved out, in 1911 he had 3 children, Charles had died in 1909 aged 24.
John was employed as a clerk in the office of Messrs. Simpson and Davies of High street, Runcorn. He was closely connected with St. Paul's Wesleyn Church and Brunswick Sunday School, and was an official at Old Victorians Football Club.
He joined the 20th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment on 10th November 1914 and is recorded as being 5ft 7in, with Grey eyes and Brown hair. His service papers are on line. He landed in France on the 7th November 1915, a full year after signing up.
He was very active at the front being promoted to Lance Corporal.
On the 16th June, after a German attack, several of the Pioneer battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment who were working in the reserves, caught a lot of shelling, and a number of them were injured. Corporal Holt and three others volunteered to carry them in, although under fire. To do this they had to go up a communication trench which was full of twists and turning, and this necessitated them returning with the stretchers raised up above the top of the trench. Two days afterwards Corporal Holt and his comrades were called to the orderly room and commended for their gallant and distinguished conduct, the South Lancashires having written thanking them for their gallantry, and saying they were a credit to their battalion.
News of his death was received in a letter to a brother from a chum in the same regiment, who wrote to say that the deceased soldier was just being relieved after a period in the trenches when he was hit in the head, presumably by a sniper. He was carried to the dressing station, but passed away in an hour's time. It was only a week ago that he wrote to a brother informing him of the local casualties among the " Pals " in the " big push." His brother Siydney Holt was with the Naval Air Service.
Although John died at a dressing station, his grave was lost and he is now remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the missing.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth