Private John Henry Fitzsimmons 2499
Identification
Family Information
John Henry Fitzsimmons was born on 9th August 1878 at 8 Sim
Street, Liverpool to Henry (a carter) and Sarah Jane Fitzsimmons. John Henry
was baptised on 1st September that year at St Mary Magdalene, Liverpool.
The 1891 census return shows that John Henry's father was working as a
dock labourer and the family lived at number 28 Hampton St (this street was
mostly court housing but they seem to be the only family listed at number 28)
He had 2 sisters and one brother.
On 18th April 1897 John Henry Fitzsimmons married Mary Elizabeth Steele,
witnesses were Frances and Emily Steele.
Their daughter, Mary Eilzabeth Fitzsimmons, was born on 8th
November 1897 and christened on 19th December 1897 in St James’s
Church.
A son, William John, was born on 31st March 1900 and
christened on 15th April 1900 at St James’s Church.
Another daughter, Nancy Fitzsimmons, was born on 17th April
1902 and christened in St James’s Church on 30th April 1902. John
Henry’s occupation at this time was recorded as dock labourer.
The baptism record 2 years later for their daughter Sarah Jane (born 15th
November 1904, christened 27th Nov 1904 at St James’s Church) shows
they were living in 10 court 4 house Hampton Street and John Henry was a
labourer.
The 1911 census shows that John Henry and Mary were living in Newton St,
the number isn't clear. John was working as a labourer for a white smith ‘Wilson
and Sons’. William, Nancy and Sarah Jane are with them and Mary Elizabeth
appears to have left home, they also had sadly had another child who
died.
Military information
He was 5’6” tall and weighed 114lbs, his complexion was fresh, his eyes
blue and his hair brown. He had various tattoos including crossed swords, flags
and a half moon. His religion is given
as Roman Catholic. (It is interesting to note that, aged 18, he repeatedly
spelled his name ‘Fitzsimons’ whereas later in life he spelled it Fitzsimmons)
His service record shows that he completed 76 days drill on enlistment
in 1895 and was present for drill in 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1899.
He rejoined and was embodied on 3/5/1900 then disembodied on 1/11/1900
as a private.
His absence from drill in 1900 was ‘satisfactorily accounted for’
(perhaps the birth of his son?) and he
was given leave from voluntary training in 1901.
He was embodied on 6 Jan 1902 and embarked for South Africa 23 Jan 1902.
He was disembodied 10 July 1902 rank private.
He was paid a war gratuity in July 1902.
Discharged on termination of engagement 9 March 1907.
Private Joh Henry Fitzsimmons received the South Africa medal with Cape
Colony and Transvaal clasps.
WW1 service papers show that John Henry Fitzsimmons enlisted for the
duration of the war on 28th August 1914 aged 35. He was given the regimental
number 2499 as a private with the South Lancashire Regiment.
His medical report shows that he was 37 years of age, 5 feet 6 1/4
inches tall and weighed 136 lbs, his eyes were blue and his hair brown. He had
tattoos of ‘crossed swords and other marks’ and his religion was C of E.
The papers shows that at the time of his attestation John Henry, his
wife Mary and their children Nancy, Sarah Jane and William John lived at 4
Watson Street.
When Mary completed the next of kin papers after her husband's death,
her address was 44 Solway Street, Lodge Lane.
Death and commemoration
John Henry Fitzsimmons was killed in action at Linden Hock on 7th January 1915 after
serving 132 days, he survived just 46 days overseas as he was posted to the 2nd
Battalion on 23rd November 1914.
The UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 gives the following
information
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Name:
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John Henry Fitzsimmons
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Birth Place:
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Liverpool
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Death Date
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7 Jan 1915
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Death Location
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France & Flanders
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Enlistment
Location:
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Liverpool
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Rank:
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Private
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Regiment:
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Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire
9/2Regiment)
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Battalion:
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2nd Battalion
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Number:
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2499
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Type of
Casualty:
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Killed in action
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Theatre of War:
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Western European Theatre
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John Henry's medal shows that he
qualified for the 1915 star, the British War Medal and the Victory medal and he
was Killed in Action on 7th Jan 1915.
He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin
Gate) Memorial.
The Liverpool Daily Post printed the following report of his death on 27th
January 1915.
John Fitzsimmons of Hampton-street,
Liverpool, who fell in action on Jan 7. He leaves a widow and 4 children. He
went through the Boer War with the 4th Kings Liverpool. At the
outbreak of this war he rejoined with the 3rd South Lancs and was
only at the front 2 months when he was killed.
