Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John was born in Everton, Liverpool in 1898, to John and Caroline (nee Elliott) Wendover.  He was one of eight children.  In 1911, John (13) was living at 48 St Domingo Road, Liverpool with John (42), a boiler stoker, Caroline (35), Mary Ellen (18), Caroline (9), Ada (7), Nelly (5), Josephine (2) and Minnie (1 month).

John enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery on 3 August 1915 and stated his age as 19 years and 5 months (his date of birth was 14 March 1898 and so he would only have been 17 years and 5 months!).  He served as a Driver with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 14 March 1917 to 28 January 1919 and was attached to the 57^th Divisional Ammunition Column as part of 285 Brigade.  John’s records show that he was ‘absent without leave on three occasions and was also late for duty’.  He was discharged on 29 January 1919, and was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

John passed through Peterborough East Station on 25 May 1916 and signed the visitors’ book.

John married Annie Littler in West Derby, Liverpool in 1920.  They had two daughters, Annie born in 1923 and Minnie born in 1928.  In 1939, the family were living at 25 Priory Grover, Liverpool.  John is a builder’s labourer and Annie, a kitchen worker.

He was living at 14 Rennie Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool when he died on 2 November 1959.

Can you tell us more about John and his family?