John Randall Kitchen

John Randall Kitchen known as 'Jack' was born in 1894 he was the son of the late Charles William a foundery labourer and Sarah Kitchen née Hopkinson of 100 Union Street, Mansfield. Charles was born in 1861 at Caythorpe Lincolnshire, he was was accidently killed on 18th September 1919 aged 58 yrs, Sarah Hopkinson was born in 1862 at Mansfield, they were married on 26th July 1883 at St Marys Church, Sutton in Ashfield, they had 4 children Charles William b1892, John Randall b 1894, Phillis b1897 and George b1900 all were born in the Mansfield registration district. In the 1911 census the family were living at 56 Rosemary Street, Mansfield, Charles 51 yrs a foundery labourer is living with his wife Sarah 48 yrs and their children, Charles 19 yrs a railway labourer, John Randall 16 yrs a builders clerk, Phyllis 14 yrs and George 10 yrs of age.

Clerk “to Mr. Beckett, builder”.

Company Sergeant Major John Randall Kitchen enlisted at Mansfield and was killed in action, 21st March 1918, aged 24, whilst holding the line near Noreuil, France on the opening day of the German Spring Offensive or (Kaiserschlact) Commemorated: Arras Memorial, France. Bay 7.

The family headstone inscription reads :- 'In loving memory of Charles William the dearly beloved husband of Sarah Kitchen who was accidentally killed Sept 18th 1919 60 years 'In the midst of life we are in death' Also Sgt Major John Randal son of the above who was killed in action in France March 21st 1918 aged 24 years 'the supreme sacrifice' Also Sarah beloved wife of Charles William Kitchen who died July 8th 1932 aged 69 years 'reunited'' The following year the family was again hit by tragedy. Jack's father, Charles Kitchen, was a brewer's drayman. His horse was startled by a tram in Mansfield and reared up, throwing Charles off. A barrel of beer fell on Charles and the horse stamped on his head. Charles died of his injuries. Mansfield Reporter, 19 September 1919: ‘Terrible Fatality in Westgate. Brewer’s Carter Killed. There was a distressing occurrence at Mansfield yesterday, when a brewer’s carter, named Charles Kitchen, aged 60, of 100, Union-street, was killed instantly in Westgate, as the result of a collision with a tramcar. At the time Kitchen wa driving a brewer’s dray laden with five barrels of beer belonging to Messrs. Warwick & Richardson, brewers, of Newark-on-Trent, and was proceeding down Chesterfield road when he met a tramcar driven by May Stubbins, of 25 Spencer-street, Mansfield, the car coming from Pleasley in the direction of the Market-place. On turning off the loop into the straight track, the front of the car collided with the back of the dray, with the result that the deceased fell off the near side of the dray on to the pavement, and, as he touched the ground, a 36 gallon barrel of beer fell off the dray on the top of him. The horse also took fright and swerved to the side of the road on which deceased lay, and trampled on his face. Pc Wilkinson, who witnessed the accident, hastened to the spot and conveyed the deceased to Dr Tate’s surgery, but he was found to be dead, and the body was conveyed to the mortuary. The inquest will be held at 2.30 this (Friday) afternoon.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 26 September 1919: ‘The Westgate Fatality. Car Driver’s Story At The Inquest. Exonerated From Blame. Dangerous Loop: Coroner’s Recommendation: The inquest o Charles William Kitchen (60), who met with his death in West Gate on Thursday in last week, as the result of a collision between his dray and a tramcar, was held by the District Coroner (Mr H Bradwell) at the Town Hall, on Friday afternoon. Mr RP Marchant represented Messrs. Warwick and Richardson, brewers, Newark, with whom the deceased was employed, Mr RH Young, the Mansfield Light Railway Company, and Mr Gamble the driver of the car (Miss May Stubbings). Charles Wilfred Kitchen, 107. Dallas-street, Mansfield, miner, son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. His father had been employed by Messrs Warwick and Richardson for about eight years. He left a widow, and there were three children living, all grown up’ … (transcript of Coroner’s questioning of witnesses) … ‘A Valuable Servant. The Coroner said he was satisfied the deceased died from injuries received as a result of the collision, and that the driver of the car did all she could to prevent an accident, and that not the slightest blame could be attached to her. He was further of the opinion that this was a most dangerous place [the loop where the accident occurred] … Mr Marchant expressed similar sentiments [of regret as other representatives] on behalf of the deceased’s employers. They deeply regretted such a termination to the services of one whom they regarded as a very valuable servant, and one who always did his work extremely well. The Coroner: I should like to associate myself with all these remarks.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 26 September 1919: Report of the funeral of Mr CW Kitchen at Mansfield Cemetery ‘on Saturday afternoon.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)