John Robert Tatchell

John Robert Tatchell was born on 19th March 1877 to Parents Edward who worked as a Harness Maker and Mary (nee Randall). He was baptised Robert John, (but referred to as John) on 5th August that same year at St. Dunstan and All Saints, in Stepney High Street. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 50 Mile End Road. His parents had married in Mile End in 1876 and John was the first of seven children born to the couple. John’s siblings were Thomas, Percy, Kathleen, Randall, James and Charles.

By 1881 the family were living at 33 Camden Street, St Pancras, an address they remained at for over ten years, before moving to 102 Camden Street in 1893.

On 20th February 1894, John aged 16, enlisted with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Chatham Division and given the service number of 7736. He gave his date of birth as 18th January 1877, I would assume to appear older.

John married widower Annie Atkins (nee Abbott) on 10th October 1900 at a Registry Office in St. Pancreas. He was 23 and Annie aged 30. Annie had three children from her previous marriage: George aged 11, Arthur 10 and Minnie aged 7. In 1901 John, Annie and her three children are living at 20 Castle Road, St. Pancras and are sharing the house with four other families. John is listed as a Railway Company Harness maker.

John’s parents Edward and Mary and his siblings had moved to 25 Rochester Square in 1897 and were still at this address in 1901. Percy 19, Kathleen 17, Randall 15 James 13, Charles 8. (Thomas had died in 1884 aged about 4). They also had six boarders living with them.

John and his wife Annie appear to have moved around frequently: in 1908 they were living at 42 Marsden Street, then in 1910 at 19 Modbury Street and by 1911 living in one room at 33 Preston Street. They don’t appear to have children of their own and Annie’s three children have all flown the nest. John is working as a Harness repairer. In 1913 records show John and Annie are paying 4 Shillings per week for their one room top floor accommodation.

When war broke out John enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) in Woolwich on 24th September 1914 as a Driver. He was given the service number of M2/187633 then the number T1SR/909. Shortly after enlisting he was promoted to Acting Corporal.

On his enlistment papers John gave his address as 50 Wellesley Road, Gospel Oak, St. Pancreas. He stated he had previously been in the Royal Marines and his occupation was a Harness Maker. He was described as 5ft 8in tall, weight 138 1bs with a chest measurement of 36 ½ inches.

John’s wife Annie died on 4th November 1915 from cardiac failure. She had been suffering from Pleurisy and Bronchitis for the previous two months. Less than Three weeks later, John was himself admitted to a Military Hospital in Endell Street, London suffering from Tuberculosis of the lungs. Whilst still in service but seeking discharge from the Army he died at the Downs Sanatorium in Sutton from Pulmonary Tuberculosis on 21st January 1916 aged 38.

John had served a total of 1 year and 120 days. Upon John’s death his next of kin was listed as his mother Mary Tatchell living at 79 Wilberforce Road, London N4. His father Edward was stated as being “last heard of 12 years ago now presumed dead”.

John was awarded the Victory and British war medals. These military cards with the service number T1/SR/909 led to the discovery that his name was John Robert Tatchell. John was buried in Morden Cemetery, Garth Road and his name appears on the stone cross memorial in Morden Cemetery as TISR 909 CPL F.R Tatchell.