Cpl. John Mackay of North Shields

[Radcliff]

Also have you been in contact with the lovely people
at Tynemouth WW1 commemoration project
He is remembered there.

[Trini]

Shields Daily News 4 June 1918: NEWS OF LOCAL MEN. Killed and Wounded in Action. CORPORAL MACKAY MISSING. Mrs Mackay of 32 Bird Street, North Shields, has received official news that her son, Corporal J Mackay, Machine Gunner of the Royal West Kent Regiment, is missing. Previous to joining up he was in the despatch department of the Shields "Daily Gazette" for 20 years. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Shields Daily News 11 November 1918: NEWS OF LOCAL MEN. CORPORAL JOHN MACKAY KILLED. Official intimation has been received by Mrs E. Mackay, of 32 Bird Street, North Shields, that her son, Corporal John Mackay, Royal West Kents, was killed in action on April 24th, 1918. He had previously been reported missing. Corpl. Mackay, who was 35 years of age, was on the staff of the "Shields Daily News," and for 20 years was employed in the dispatch department. he was well known in local athletic circles, and took a keen interest in the South Shields Harriers. Corporal Mackay joined up on Oct. 5th, 1916. Shields Daily News 13 November 1918: DEATHS. MACKAY - Killed in action April 24th 1918, Corporal John Mackay, Royal West Kents, in his 35th year, dearly beloved son of Elizabeth and the late Robert Mackay, of 32 Bird Street, North Shields - Deeply mourned by his loving mother, brothers and sisters.    Information is from the Tynemouth WW1 commemoration project page.  The Shields Daily News is indexed at North Shields Library but is not yet online.

Regards,

Trini.

[seahall]

Good morning to you both.

The British archives on line only have up to 1916 on their newspapers
for Shields Daily Gazette and 1870 for the Shields Daily News .

I did put the link up for the project on my first post.

http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1627&displayorder=75

I will contact the library on Monday and see if they can help with the newspaper articles
etc in case it mentions the "friend".
Thanks again.

Sandy

[JenB]

Sandy, what exactly does it say about the 'friend'?
Is it the friend rather than John Mackay that you are trying to find out about?

[seahall]

Hi Jenb.

On John's cwgc headstone the inscription at the bottom says 32 Bird Street,
He gave his life for his friend. Looking at the war diary and on cwgc there were
a few men who gave their lives on the same day as John.

Obviously he may have been injured before the death date so having a copy of the diaries
I trawled around the month or so before and after but no indication as entries were brief
which is understandable. I hoped there would have been another man in either the regiment
from the same area or a service record etc or newspaper clipping noting such.

I do appreciate the help being given and would love to find out who the friend is.

Sandy

[seahall]

Just a quick up-date.

I have contacted the Library and they asked me to e-mail them, which I have now done.

Sandy

[seahall]

The Library contacted me today and very kindly gave me scanned images of
the newspapers article re: John.

They sadly said they could not find anything about the friend.

I appreciate the time and effort they gave to my enquiry and information supplied.

Sandy

[JenB]

I wonder if 'he gave his life for his friend' might be a rather general reference rather than to someone specific? Along the lines of 'greater love hath no man than this.....' ?

[seahall]

I agree Jenb.

It was good to not leave any stone unturned though.

Sandy