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The information displayed here is at the time of death.
John was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1893 to Benjamin and Mary Arkless. They lived at 34 Mafeking Street, Gateshead. He had two siblings, Joseph, born around 1884, and Dorothy, born around 1899.
He was educated at Gateshead Grammar School and then at Armstrong College, where he attained a Teacher’s Certificate.
John attended the University Officers' Training Corps whilst at Armstrong College. In February 1915, he joined the Durham Light Infantry, 17th Battalion, at the rank of Temporary Second Lieutenant. He served in France throughout 1915. John was attached to the 15th Battalion while serving in Boulogne at the end of 1915.
On 30th December 1915 there was a general bombardment, in which John died aged 22 along with two others from his regiment.
10 Stewart Place, Gateshead (place of residence - 1901 census). Note, there is no longer a Stewart Place in Gateshead, assumedly demolished.
John is buried in the Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension in the Nord area of France.
Gateshead in the Roll of Honour, now held at Gateshead Central Library
Plaque in the United Methodist Church on Whitehall Road, Gateshead.
Stained glass window and plaque to the dead in St. Georges Church, Gateshead.
Memorial in Gateshead Grammar School where John was a pupil.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The War Graves Photographic Project
Newcastle University Archives (The University of Durham Roll of Service 1914 – 1919, Durham University Gazette, Vol II, 1912-1929)
North East War Memorials Project
UK Census Records (National Archives, available via Ancestry.co.uk)
WWI Service Records 1914 - 1920 (National Archives, available via Ancestry.co.uk)
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