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The information displayed here is at the time of death.
John was the son of John Edward and Mary Lizzie Stead. John studied at Armstrong College between 1912 and 1914 and was awarded a Diploma in Mining in January 1914. John attended the University Officers' Training Corps whilst at Armstrong College.
He received a commission to the Yorkshire Regiment, 4th Battalion in September 1914. He went to the front in April 1915 and was wounded on the 29th of that month. In March 1916 he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps and returned to the front in the following July.
John, with his observer Second Lieutenant W. T. Gilson, was credited with bringing down an enemy aeroplane, which crashed at Westroosbeke on 26th January 1917. John was flying in FE2d A30 with Second Lieutenant W. T. Jourdan as his observer on 1st February 1917 when his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire and both men were wounded. He died from his wounds on 4th February 1917 aged 24. Second Lieutenant Jourdan survived.
John is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.
UK Census registers, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
UK Military Service Records, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)
Newcastle University Archives (Roll of Service, Armstrong College Calendars)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Royal Flying Corps: Casualties and Honours During the War of 1914-17, G M Campbell, Picton Pub., 1987.
Sophie Anderton, Ian Johnson, Alan Callender