John William Vickers

John William (Jack) was the son of William and Mary Alice Vickers nee Barker. His father William was born in Scothome, Lincolnshire, in about 1868, and his mother Mary Alice Barker was born in Eckington, Yorkshire, on 24 January 1876 (J/F/M Chesterfield). They were married on 4 August 1894 at St Luke's church Sneinton and had four children of whom only John William survived childhood. The three children who died in infancy were probably: Clara Annie b. 1896 (A/M/J Nottingham) d. 1897 (J/F/M Nottingham), Lily birth registered 1898 (J/F/M Nottingham) d. 1898 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Benjamin James b. 1899 (J/A/S Nottingham) death registered 1900 (J/F/M Nottingham). The birth registration records of all three children give the mother's maiden name as Barker. In 1901 William (35), a carter for the Great Northern Railway, and Mary Alice (25) were living at 5 Regent Hill, Nottingham, with their son John William (6). Also in the household was a boarder, Isabella Jessie Blake nee Day (22) b. Dagshai India (British subject), the widow of Charles Edward Blake (m. 8 September 1898 St Ann's Church Nottingham), and her daughter Pretoria May (1 b. 1900 A/M/J Nottingham). Isabella m. James Hine (1902), 2 children (Wilfred James, Josephine), widowed, m. Arthur Thomsett (1916), d. 7 October 1940 (Brighton Sussex). By 1911 the family was living at 3 Skynner Street, Peachey Street, nr Mansfield Road, Nottingham. William was now a carter for a chemist and druggist while John (16) was an apprentice fitter (lace machine builder). Also in the home on the night of the census were two boarders, William Evans (24) a blacksmith's striker, and John Needham (6) attending school, and a visitor Joseph Barker Britten (46), a boiler maker. William Vickers probably died in 1935 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled his widow Mary Alice Vickers was living at 225 Sherwood Street, Nottingham. Also in the household was William Evans (b. 26 July 1886), single, who was a blacksmith for the London Midland Scottish Railway and had been a boarder with the family since at least 1911. Mary Alice died on 12 September 1941; she was still living at 225 Sherwood Street.

In 1911 he was an apprentice fitter.

Enlisted Nottingham

John served in France from 30 September 1915 and was killed in action on 18 November 1916. John has no known grave and is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 November 1917: ‘Vickers. In loving memory of our dear son and only child, JW Vickers (Jack), signaller, KOYLI, killed in action in France November 18th, 1916. Sleep on, and take thy rest, we loved thee well, but Jesus loved thee best. Sorrowing mother, dad, Billy [prob. William Evans] and Bay Kingston.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 November 1917: ‘Smith. In loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Private Harry, killed November 18th, 1916; also Private Ernest Owen, killed October 13th, 1915; and their dear friend, Private Jack Vickers, killed November 18th, 1916. Sweet is the memory of those we loved as dear. Reunited in death. From loving mother, father, sisters and soldier brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) (See records for Harry Smith and Ernest Owen Smith on this ROH) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 September 1941: ‘Vickers. September 12th, 225 Sherwood-street, Mary Alice, passed away, beloved sister of Lizzie and Clara, also dearest friend Billy [William Evans]. Peaceful end after long suffering borne with courage. Funeral Carlton, 2 o’clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 12 September 1942: ‘Vickers. Mary Alice, one year (-). in loving memory fond and true, from one who thought the world of you. Billy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 September 1943: ‘Vickers. Mary Alice, passed away September 12th 1941. Ever in thoughts. Bill.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)