JOHN ROBERT MEAD
Born: 1882, Marske by the Sea, Guisborough, Yorkshire.
Baptised on the 3rd April 1882, at St. Mark’s Church, Marske by the Sea – family home in Marske by the Sea.
Died: 15th December 1917; age 35; died of pneumonia whilst home on leave, at The Hollies, Newton Solney, Burton-on-Trent.
Burton Observer and Chronicle – Saturday, 22nd December 1917 – DEATH OF CAPTAIN JOHN ROBERT MEAD – We regret to state that Captain John Robert Mead, Royal Engineers, passed away at The Hollies, Newton Solney, on Saturday last. John was the eldest son of the late Mr. Henry Mead, of Stapenhill, and the brother of Second Lieutenant Henry Layton Mead, D.C.M., Medaille Militaire, came on leave from France on the 22nd October, and six days later was seized with pleurisy, which rapidly developed into double pneumonia with complications. Captain John Mead, who married Miss Margaret Madelely, of Newton Solney, was articled to Mr. G. T. Lynam, M.I.C.E., Borough Engineer, of Burton, and afterwards held appointments in the Borough Engineers’ offices at Birkenhead and St. Helen’s. For the past three years he held the office of Borough Engineer and Surveyor to the Ipswich Corporation. He proceeded to France in charge of a road-making company about eight months ago, and soon found himself engaged in the Messines push. Indeed, he was under shellfire most of the time he was at the Front, and his fatal illness was undoubtedly contracted out there. He was only 35 years of age, and leaves a widow and one child.
Occupation: Ipswich Borough Surveyor – Town Hall.
Date of Entry Therein: 13th March 1917 – France.
Rank: Captain.
Regiment: Royal Engineers, 335th Road Construction Coy.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
New Ground,
St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard,
Newton Solney,
Derbyshire.
Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – Friday, 28th December 1917 – CAPTAIN JOHN R. MEAD – FUNERAL AT NEWTON SOLNEY – The funeral took place with military honours at Newton Solney Churchyard, Burton-on Trent, on Wednesday week, of the late Captain John Robert mead, R.E., Borough Surveyor of Ipswich, who died at his wife’s home, Newton Solney, on Saturday of pneumonia, contracted a few days after returning from the Front.
The cortege, preceded by a firing party and bearers from Rugeley Camp, left The Hollies, the home of Mrs. Mead, shortly before 2:30, and proceeded at a slow march, with arms reversed, to the churchyard. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, bore the deceased officer’s cap and belt, and there were many beautiful wreaths.
The service in the church and at the graveside was of the simplest possible character, being conducted by the Vicar, the Reverend F.C.T. Jansen. In the course of the brief address the Vicar said that in addition to those who died for the country’s sake on the field of battle, others died also for their country at home, and it was to pay their last respects to one of these that they had assembled that afternoon. Their brother had fallen not at the Front but as a result of his labours there in his country’s cause. He came home on leave, but there could be no doubt that during his labours out there on behalf of his country he contracted probably poisoned germs, and with enfeebled reserves of strength, and after a gallant battle during the last six weeks, he had truly laid down his life for his country’s sake.
After the coffin had been lowered into the grave, the firing party fired three volleys and the buglers sounded the “Last Post.” Amongst those who sent wreaths were the Ipswich Town Council; the County Surveyor, Ipswich; the Ipswich Borough Engineer and Surveyor’s staff; the Borough Engineer and Surveyor of Burton-on-Trent, and the deceased’s colleagues.
CENSUS
1891 High Street, Marske by the Sea, Yorkshire.
John was 9 years old and living with his mother, brother and widowed maternal grandmother.
Hannah Mead (nee Layton), 34, born High Coniscliffe, Durham.
Henry Layton Mead, 3, born Marske by the Sea, Guisborough, Yorkshire.
Ann Layton (nee Hemsley), 75, born Haghton, Durham.
1901 54, Frederick Street, Stapenhill, Staffordshire.
John was 19 years old, a Pupil – Civil Engineer. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Henry Mead, 43, a Building Inspector, born Castleton, North Yorkshire.
Hannah, 44.
Henry, 13.
Elizabeth Mead, 8, born Marske by the Sea, Guisborough, Yorkshire.
1911 4, Kirkland Avenue, Birkenhead, Merseyside.
John was 29 years old, a Civil Engineer – at Birkenhead Corporation. He was married and head of the household.
Margaret, 28.
John’s father, Henry Mead, died on the 4th July 1912, at his home, 54, Frederick Street, Stapenhill.
Burton Observer and Chronicle – Thursday, 11th July 1912 – DEATH OF MR. HENRY MEAD – BURTON’S BUILDING INSPECTOR – We regret to announce the death, which took place at his residence, 54, Frederick Street, Stapenhill, on Thursday, of Henry Mead, the Burton building inspector. Henry had been in failing health since early in January, and, although he had been able to get out occasionally, for a considerable part of that time had been confined to his bed. The immediate cause of death was heart trouble.
The late Mr. Mead had held the appointment of building inspector under the Burton Corporation for 17 years, and alike in his official capacity and his social life, earned universal respect. A Yorkshireman, having been born at Castleton, he was formerly general manager to a large firm of contractors in the North. He was for many years connected with the Stapenhill Parish Church as sidesman, and as superintendent of the Sunday Schools, but relinquished those offices two or three years ago owing to failing health.
Fifty-four years of age, Henry leaves a widow, two sons and a daughter. The elder son, Mr. John R. Mead, holds the appointment of Deputy Borough Engineer and Surveyor at St. Helen’s, Lancashire.
The funeral took place at the Stapenhill Cemetery on Monday. There was a large and representative attendance of relatives and friends of the deceased gentleman, including many of the Town Hall staff, members of the Stapenhill church, and Railway Mission, and All Saints’ Church.
On the 6th September 1910, at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Newton Solney, Derbyshire, 28 year old John, a civil engineer, married, 27 year old Margaret Madeley, born 1883, in Stapenhill, Derbyshire – daughter of Charles Edward Madeley, a farmer – own account, and Elizabeth Madeley (nee Foster), of Blacksmith’s Lane, Newton Solney.
Margaret and John had two children:
John Madeley Mead, born 17th January 1915, at Ipswich and baptised on the 7th March 1915, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 3, Gainsborough Road, Ipswich. John died on the 21st April 1916, at Ipswich and was buried in Section K, Ipswich Old Cemetery.
Brenda Margaret Mead, born 1st August 1917, at Stapenhill.
On the 24th February 1922, Mrs. J.R. Mead, of The Hollies, Newton Solney, Derbyshire, received her late husband’s medals.
Probate to Margaret Mead – widow, and Frank Angell, a maltster.
E.A.D.T. – Tuesday, 18th December 1917 – CAPTAIN JOHN ROBERT MEAD – The news of the death of Captain John Robert Mead, the Engineer and Borough Surveyor of Ipswich, which was received in the town on Monday afternoon, will be a source of deep regret to a large circle. Mr Mead had not been long in Ipswich, but during the time he had gained a great number of friends, none greater than amongst the staff in his office. It was on the retirement of Mr E. Buckham from the office of Engineer and Surveyor in June 1913 that Mr Mead was appointed. He had from 1898 to 1905 been a pupil and salaried assistant to the Borough Engineer and Surveyor of Burton-on-Trent, from 1905 to 1911 a senior engineering assistant to the Borough Engineer and Surveyor of Birkenhead, and from 1911 to 1913 a deputy Borough Engineer and Surveyor of St. Helen’s. On taking up his position at Ipswich, he threw himself whole heartedly into his work, and amongst the more important items he carried out were the Public Health Offices in Elm Street, which are looked upon as a type of how premises for such a purpose should be arranged; he erected the Small-Pox Hospital and carried out a large amount of preliminary work in connection with the sewage disposal, which however, was laid on one side on the outbreak of war.
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On the 13th January 1917, the Director of Military Railways and Roads wrote to the Borough Council asking if Mr. John Mead could be released from his borough duties for important military work in France; the borough authorities placed no obstacle in the way, and on the 12th February Mr. John Mead left Ipswich. He joined one of the Road Construction Companies of the Royal Engineers as Second Lieutenant, and on the 12th March he went over to France as a Captain. For about eight months he stuck hard at his work, and letters received by friends showed that though the work was hard he was extremely cheerful; in fact his only regret seemed to be that he had not gone earlier. Some of his work was of great importance, and the rapidity with which it was done may be found, when history is written, to have had a great effect on some of our advances. About two months ago, he came home on a seven-day leave, staying with his wife and child at the residence of his wife’s parents at Newton Solney, near Burton-on-Trent. Within a day or two, he contracted double pneumonia, and after many ups and downs died on Saturday. A pathetic feature of his last illness was that his mother-in-law, who assisted in the nursing, was herself taken ill and died about a month ago.
Mr. John Mead was 35 years of age, and married Miss Margaret Madeley, of Newton Solney. On the 1st August last, a little daughter was born to him. Mr. Mead was a member of the Institute of Municipal and County Engineers, a member of the Institute of Municipal Engineers, a member of the Town Planning Institute, and sub-district secretary for the Eastern Division of the Institute of Municipal and County Engineers. The funeral takes place at Newton Solney on Wednesday, at 2:30. A brother of the deceased, who in civilian life was a bank clerk, has gained the Military Medal, the Medaille Militaire and a commission.
E.A.D.T. – Thursday, 20th December 1917 – IPSWICH TOWN COUNCIL – THE LATE BOROUGH SURVEYOR – A special meeting of the Ipswich Town Council was held on Wednesday. There were present: The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Henry Dixon Phillips, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Valentine Desborough Colchester, Aldermen John Henry Grimwade, William Fraser Paul, Frederick Edward Rands, Edwin Perkins Ridley, and Charles Ernest Tempest; Councillors Kavas Jamas Badshah, Sydney Brand, Buckingham Bird, F. Brown, James Barry Cullingham, Thomas Smith Damant, Stephen Henry Daniels, Robert Frederick Jackson, Frank John Mason, William Pipe, Edward Colby Ransome, William Reavell, Alfred Sizer, Alfred Palmer Turner, and Charles Edward Sutton Whitmarsh; with the Town Clerk, Mr, Will Bantoft, and other officials.
THE LATE BOROUGH SURVEYOR
The Mayor said that before proceeding to the business on the agenda he would like to take the opportunity to refer to the loss the Council and the town generally has sustained in what he thought might be called the untimely death on Saturday last of Captain John Robert Mead. He was elected Borough Surveyor in June 1913, so that his services only extended over 4 ½ years, but he thought they were all agreed that that was quite long enough for them to form a very high opinion of his abilities, and he amply fulfilled all their expectations. They all remembered his great interest in every scheme that came before the Council, and particularly in the new Stoke Bridge and the Public Health Offices. (Hear, hear.) His sense of duty to his country led him to undertake most important road of construction work in France, work of an exceedingly arduous nature, and undoubtedly it was this that overtaxed his strength and led to his decease. They had lost a most efficient public official, and one who was deeply respected by them all. He added that he had received a letter that morning from Messrs. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, which was typical of what other firms with whom he came in contact also felt. The letter stated that the firm had formed a very high estimate of his ability and found the characteristics of fairness and courtesy they were accustomed to associate with the Corporation officials. He moved: “That the Council desire to record on its minutes their sense of the loss they had sustained by the death of Captain John Robert Mead, R.E., who for 4 ½ years filled the office of Borough Surveyor with great ability and courtesy, and express their deep sympathy with Mrs. Mead in her bereavement.”
Mr. William Pipe, in seconding, said that it was with a feeling of profound regret that such an occasion should have arisen. He associated himself to the full with every word the Mayor had said. Probably no member of the Council was brought in more frequent or closer touch with Mr. Mead and his work than he had been during the time Mr. Mead had served as surveyor. Behind quite unassuming manner was a very real, strong personality and very considerable ability. After Mr. Mead had gained the knowledge of the district and its requirements, it was astonishing how quickly he showed these qualities which the Mayor had mentioned, and which gained the respect of everyone who came in contact with Mr. Mead.
The resolution was carried in silence, the whole Council standing.
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Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal – Friday, 21st December 1917 – The funeral took place with military honours at Newton Solney, on Wednesday, 19th December, of Captain John Robert Mead, R.E., who died of pneumonia while home on leave. John had spent about six months in France in charge of a roadmaking company and was under heavy shell fire most of the time.
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