Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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40133   Lance Corporal John William Silkstone
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 10/04/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (British Army)
Died: 31/07/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 33
Summary      
John William Silkstone was the son of Joseph and Mary Silkstone. He was born in Nottingham about 1884. He was one of at least four children, all of whom were born in Derbyshire, England. They were a family of cotton weavers who moved to Sherrygroom, Stewartstown. John was a manufacturer's clerk. He married in 1913 and moved back to Derbyshire. John Silkstone served for a time with the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, No.76568. Lance Corporal John William Silkstone was serving with the 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 31st July 1917.
Further Information
John William Silkstone was the son of Joseph and Mary Silkstone.
John Silkstone was born in Nottingham about 1884. He was one of at least four children, all of whom were born in Derbyshire, England.
Known family: Joseph Silkstone, Mary Silkstone, Alice Maud Silkstone (born about 1881), John William Silkstone (born about 1884), Joseph Silkstone (born about 1887), Thomas Silkstone (born about 1889).
The 1901 census does not list John William as living with the family at house 42 in Sherrigrim, Stewartstown, County Tyrone. His father hailed from Tansley, Derbyshire, England. His mother was born in Partick, Scotland. They were a family of cotton weavers.
The 1911 census lists John William as age 27, living with the family at house 42 in Sherrigrim, Stewartstown. John was a manufacturer's clerk. His mother was a widow.
John Silkstone and Sarah Jane Best on 29th January 1913 in the district of Cookstown.
The couple moved back to Derbyshire, where they had three sons, all born between 1913 and 1916. John and Norman are believed to be the names of two of the sons.
John William Silkstone enlisted in Derby, England.
Medal card
John William Silkstone served for a time with the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, No.76568.
Lance Corporal John William Silkstone was serving with the 1st Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment when he was killed in action on 31st July 1917. He was 33 years old.
It is believed his widow, Sarah Jane, eventually returned to County Tyrone.
Lance Corporal J W Silkstone has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium.
Lance Corporal John William Silkstone is commemorated on Stewartstown 479 Masonic Roll of Honour.
Many thanks to Paul Priestly for the information regarding John Silkstone’s marriage and family.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Sherrigrim, Stewartstown Stewartstown Census listing in Sherrigrim 54.580236 -6.728390
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Silkstone family 1901 does not list John William, living at house 42 in Sherrigrim, Stewartstown, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Silkstone family 1911 census lists John William, age 27, as a manufacturer's clerk, living at house 42 in Sherrigrim, Stewartstown, Tyrone
3 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
4 Soldiers Died in the Great War Details of Lance Corporal John William Silkstone
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023