Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William and Elizabeth Williamson. John, always known as Jack was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Sunday School and congregation and was employed as a miner at Whitwick Colliery. He had a studious nature and attended evening classes and could write in Pitman’s shorthand. He was also studying mining engineering and had a bright future ahead of him. Together with his elder brother Frederick they used to give character songs at many concerts, and were frequently in demand in northwest Leicestershire. Both brothers enlisted in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, Frederick (2702) in early September, and Jack in early August. Jack was a much respected Corporal in “A” Company when he was killed on the 24th March 1916, his last letter home dated 17th March 1916 read:- “We are having a few days rest about nine miles behind the firing line, after being in the trench for six days and nights. It has been the heaviest going since I have been out here, with plenty of fighting and work both day and night. I must tell you both that I am as happy as the day is long. What may seem strange to you, but it is strongly in my head is that what is to be, will be, and so what is the use of caring. One has only to die the once. The weather is now a lot better than it was, thank goodness. We are only a matter of yards from the German frontline and we have some hot “do’s,” What with bombs, shells, bullets and the blowing up of mines. We have recently relieved some French troops, and this will make the British line longer. I can’t tell you what I would like you to send me, so it might be as well for you to send me what you like. I am sorry to hear of your illness, Dad, and hope you get better soon. Give my love to my dear mother, and please remember me to all relatives and friends, best of love, Jack.” On the 25th March 1916, Frederick wrote home to his parents:- “I hardly know where to start this letter. I hope you are all well at home, but I can hardly say I am well, as last night was the worst night that I have known out here. I regret to say that I have very bad news for you this time, and it is making it hard to write. I am sure it will be a big blow to you all. I must not go on a roundabout fashion to tell you. Dad, I regret to say you have lost one of your best sons in this campaign. Our dear Jack passed away peacefully last night, I am sure it will be a great blow to you all, especially my darling mother, but Dad, break the news as quietly as you can. It has been a great blow to me. I did not know until it was all over, and I just got there in time for one last look at our dear Jack. Oh , Dad, I didn’t think I should feel it like this, after all what I have got used to. It came as such a shock, and has cut me up completely. It happened at 3.00pm, and I didn’t know until 9.00pm. Jack’s Company was in the firing line and he was sitting with just three other men when the Germans started sending trench mortars over. They are a big kind of shell and very explosive, and one dropped near to them and buried all four. Jack was the first to be dug out but he was unconscious. The Doctor said his ribs were badly broken and also had head wounds. I was on duty on the telephone when it happened, and so I did not find out until 8.30pm. A pal, Jack Smith and I went to the dressing station and I had the surprise of my life – they were just taking him away. Jack will be buried quietly just behind the firing line. I could not go to see him buried, but I will go and see his grave tomorrow. Don’t take it too much to heart, Dad, for like so many other comrades he died fighting for his country and doing his duty. Out Jack never flinched from his duty and he was well respected by his men. I am sorry I didn’t see him before they put him in his blanket, but perhaps it was as well. They tell me he died peacefully and that he didn’t linger long. The Doctor said that if he had lived he would have been a cripple. It may be hard for you but always remember your son died a glorious death, and he is one of Britain’s heroes. Write to me as soon as you can and tell me how mother takes it. I expect you will hear from the War Office soon. Don’t worry over me Dad, I shall trust in the Lord to give me strength to endure this to the end. You know the saying when Christ was on the Cross: “I go to prepare a place for you.” I trust that when the time comes we shall be ready to meet our Maker, and all be reunited around the blood washed throne in Heaven, where we shall have neither pain nor sorrow. So, Dad, comfort darling mother.” 2nd Lieutenant G. Russell wrote to Jack’s parents on the 25th March 1916:- “I am writing this note with very deep regret. We have lost one of our best N.C.O.’s. Yesterday, your son, whilst on duty was killed by the explosion of a “sausage” shell sent over by a trench mortar. He did not suffer much; he died fifteen minutes after we had dug him out. The Doctor said there was no hope, as he was suffering from internal pressure on the brain. He was very well liked by both his men and his officers. He was always prepared to do his duty and more than his duty. I ask you to accept the deepest sympathy of all the officers and men, his friends, in this your terrible loss. Yours Sincerely, G. Russell (2nd Lieutenant).” The War Diary for today records. TRENCHES. Morning quiet. Enemy began using trench mortar at 2.30pm. Arrived at our front line trench on left of C Coy and right of A Coy. Considerable damage was done to this piece of trench, one dug out was blown in. Casualties were Sergeant STANIFORTH wounded, one man killed, CORPORAL WILLIAMSON killed, one man wounded. We did not retaliate. This trench was repaired during the night.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 7th, 1916

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL KILLED

ANOTHER OF THE FIRST FIFTY

A BROTHER’S TRIBUTE


A memorable event in Coalville’s part in the war was on a bright October morning in 1914 when fifty fine-looking lads, the first batch of Territorials to leave the town, were given such a hearty send-off from Coalville Midland Station. One can never forget the sight of their bright faces, the merry chatter, the touching good-byes, and the cheerfulness manifested at the prospect of being able to get in a blow in defence of the old country, and the cause of right. Since then these 50 brave lads, like others, have been through some thrilling experiences, but, alas, the number has gradually dwindled until now there are very few left.

Another one of them to make the supreme sacrifice is Corporal John Williamson, the second son of Mr Wm. Williamson, of 68, Park Road, Coalville, who is employed as a miner at the Whitwick Colliery, the deceased having been killed in action on the afternoon of Friday, March 24th, while on duty in the trenches, “somewhere in France.”

The sad news was first conveyed in an officer’s letter dated March 25th, when 2nd Lieutenant G. Russell, wrote to Mr Williamson as follows:

“I am writing this note with very deep regret. We have lost one of our best N.C.O.’s. Yesterday, your son, whilst on duty, was killed by the explosion of a ‘sausage’ sent by a Hun trench mortar. He did not suffer much, but almost instantly lost consciousness, and died about a quarter of an hour later. The doctor said there was no hope, as he was suffering from internal pressure on the brain. He was very well liked by both his men and his officers. He was always prepared to do his duty and more than his duty. I ask you to accept the deepest sympathy of all the officers and men, his friends, in this, your terrible loss.”

Mr Williamson had two sons at the Front, and the elder, Private F. J. Williamson, of the same regiment, has also written a touching letter home. It was dated March 25th and stated:

“I hardly know how to start this letter. I hope you are all well at home, but I can hardly say I am well, as last night was the worst night I have known out here. I regret to say that I have very sad news for you this time, and it is making it hard to write. I am sure it will be a big blow to you all. I must not go in a roundabout fashion to tell you, but Dad, I regret to say that you have lost one of your best sons in this campaign. Our dear Jack passed away peacefully last night. I am sure it will be a great blow to you all, especially to my darling mother, but Dad, break the news to her as quietly as you can. It has been a great blow to me. I did not know till it was over, and I just got there in time to have a last look at our dear Jack. Oh, Dad, I didn’t think I should feel it like this, after what I have now got used to. It came as such a shock, and has cut me up completely. It happened at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and I didn’t know till nine at night. Jack’s company were in the firing line, and from what I can gather, Jack was sitting with three more in the trench when the Germans started sending trench mortars over. They are a big kind of shell, and very high explosive. It happened that they dropped one near Jack and his pals, and buried all four of them. Jack was the first to be dug out, but he was unconscious. The doctor said he was well alive, but there was very little hope for him, as he had his ribs broken very badly. The doctors told me all about it after they had taken him away. I was on duty at the telephone at the time, and did not hear it till 8.30. I and a pal, Jack Smith, went to the dressing station, and when we got there, I had the surprise of my life. They were just taking him away. Jack will be buried quietly right behind the firing line. I could not go to see him buried, but if I get out safe, I shall go to see his grave. Don’t take it too much to heart. Dad, for you know Jack is like thousands more of his comrades, - he died doing his duty. He always did his duty without flinching, and was respected by all his comrades. I am sorry I didn’t see him before they put him in the blanket. Perhaps it was as well that I didn’t. They told me that he did not linger long, and died peacefully. The doctor said that had he lived, he would have been a cripple. It will be hard for you, but you will know that your son died a glorious death. He is one more of Britain’s heroes. Write me back as soon as you can and let me know how mother takes it. I expect you will hear from the War Office soon. Don’t worry over me, Dad. I shall trust in the Lord to give me strength to endure to the end. You know the saying when Christ was on the cross, “I go to prepare a place for you,” and I trust that when the time comes, we shall all be ready to meet our Maker, and all be united round the blood-washed Throne in Heaven, where we shall have no pain and no sorrow. So good morning Dad, comfort darling mother.”

Corporal Williamson, who was 23 years of age, was a superior young man, and though working in the Whitwick Colliery before the war, was of a studious nature. He had for some time attended the Coalville Evening Classes, and had won certificates for writing Pitman’s shorthand. He also studied mining engineering at the classes, and had achieved some success in this direction. He had applied for a commission and was expecting it almost any day. Before the war, he and his brother used to give character songs at concerts in Coalville and district, and their services were often in demand.

The deceased’s last letter home was dated March 17th, when he wrote that they were having a few days’ rest about nine miles behind the firing line, after being in the trenches for six days and six nights, the heaviest time they had had since being out there. They had had plenty of fighting, and plenty of work night and day. He continued, “Still I must say I am as happy as the day is long. That may seem strange to you, but it is strongly in my head that what is to be will be, and what is the use of caring. One has only to die once. The weather is now a lot better than it was, thank goodness. We are only ____ yards from the Germans, and we have some hot “do’s” what with bombs, shells, bullets and the blowing up of mines. We have just relieved the French troops, which makes our British line longer. I can’t tell you what I should like you to send me. Send me what you like, and it will be a pleasant surprise. I am sorry to hear of your illness, and hope you will soon be better. Give my love to dear mother and all at home, and remember me to all friends.”

Coalville Times article - Friday May 21st, 1920

HUGGLESCOTE BAPTIST WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILING OF A COMMUNION TABLE

The memory of young men from the Hugglescote Baptist Church and Sunday School, who fell in the war is to be perpetuated by a handsome oak communion table, with an inlaid brass plate, containing fourteen names, and a suitable inscription, and at a special service last Sunday afternoon the table was unveiled.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. Barker (pastor) in the presence of a large congregation. The inscription and names on the table are as follows:

“In memory of those who gave their lives for freedom in the great war, 1914 – 1918”

James Cox, John W. Williamson, Frederick Chamberlain, Charles Drewett, John W. Brooks, J. W. T. Collier, John W. Barrs, T. Percy Deacon, George Barrs, Charles H. Shilton, George Wood, H. B. Drewett, Leslie Cross and Fred Whitmore.

The hymns sung during the service were “O God our help,” “Now the labourer’s task is o’er,” and “For all the saints.” Prior to the unveiling, the Rev. C. Barker read appropriate passages of scripture, and gave an address dealing with what had been accomplished in the war, and the debt they owed to the men who accomplished it. Ex-Captain J. Emmerson also gave a short address, speaking of his connection with the boys.

The Rev. C. Barker also read a letter from Captain Jamie, in which he wrote, “I very much appreciate the honour you have done me in suggesting that I should assist in the unveiling of your war memorial, and were it at all possible for me to get over to Coalville on that day I should have been proud to do so. However, I am afraid that is impossible. I very much regret this, as I was closely associated with many of your Hugglescote men during the war, and would gladly have taken such an opportunity of paying homage to the memory of those whose names are on the roll of honour.”

At the close of the service, the congregation sang “God bless our native land.” On Sunday evening, the Rev. C. Barker preached a memorial sermon, based on the text, “They being dead, yet speak.” Hebrews 11 – 4.

The collections realised over £10 towards the cost of the table, over £70, the whole of which has now been raised.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 13/10/2017