World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
John Straffen
Forename(s):
John
Surname:
Straffen
Initial(s):
J
Service Number:
C/6171
Rank:
Rifleman
Regiment:
King's Royal Rifle Corps, 18th (Service) Battalion (Arts & Crafts)
(N.B. CWGC records the battalion as the 19th but all other sources give it as shown above.)
Died:
15/09/1916
Aged:
35
Buried:
Thiepval Memorial
Service History:
Enlisted at Stratford, Essex.
Background:
Born in 1881 at Alnwick, Northumberland, the son of John & Jane Straffen who were both born in 1848 at, respectively, Bamburgh & Spittal.
John Snr. was a Miller & in 1881 the family lived at Spindleston Mills Cottages, Bamburgh. There were two older children, Thomas (b. 1875) & Robert (b. 1878).
The 1891 Census records the family as having moved to Tweedmouth, Northumberland where John Snr. was still a Flour Miller, as was his son Robert. Thomas was then a Joiner's Apprentice while Straffen was still at school. Two daughters are shown on the Census, Elizabeth (b. 1883) & Mary (b. 1889).
The family was still living at 61, Main Street, Tweedmouth in 1901 by which time John Snr. was a Foreman Flour Miller. Straffen was a Printer's Linotype Operator. Robert was still a Flour Miller while daughter Elizabeth was a Dressmaker. There is no mention of Mary.
By 1911 all sons had left the family home leaving only Elizabeth living with their parents. There is no obvious trace of Straffen in the Census but 'Soldiers Died...' records his residence as Tweedmouth.
Local Memorial:
Whittingham, Roll of Honour in St Bartholomew's Church
Whittingham & Callaly 1914-1918 Memorial Stone