Name
John Starmer
21/08/1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/10/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
85744
Royal Army Medical Corps
35th Field Amb.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY
X. D. 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
"HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER"
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney War Memorial, Napsbury Hospital and Staff Memorial London Colney, St Lawrence and St Stanislaus Church Memorial Northampton
Pre War
We believe this to be the John Starmer on the London Colney & Napsbury Hospital Memorials
John STARMER was born on 21st August 1889, in Northampton, Northamptonshire, son of William Starmer a Shoe Clicker (a person who cuts the uppers for shoes and boots) and Harriet Groves Starmer (nee Megeary). One of their fifteen children.
His parents married on 30th November 1879, at Saint Lukes, Old Street, Finsbury, London/Middx.
1891 Census records John aged 1, living with his parents, brother, William (10), sisters Harriett (7), Florence (5) and Maud (3), at 22 Austin Street, Northampton, Northants.
His mother Harriet died in the early part of 1897, in Northampton, aged 34.
1901 Census records John, aged 11, a School Boy, at the Industrial School, Gem Street, Birmingham.
In February 1909, aged 19, John enlisted at Chatham, in the Royal Navy as a Stoker, issued with the service number SS108082. In January 1911 he was discharged.
1911 Census records John (21) as unemployed, living with his elder brother William Starmer and his family at 57 Castle Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire.
Wartime Service
John received his call-up papers on 31st October 1916, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) at Aldershot, on 1st November 1916, issued with the service number 85744.
John served on the Western Front with the 35th Field Ambulance, RAMC, he was Killed in Action on 9th October 1917, possible at the Battle of Poelcapelle. He is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium. Grave ref: X. D. 10.
Additional Information
His Headstone inscription “HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER” was requested by Mr. W. Starmer, 28A New Town Road, Northampton, Northants, his father.
Hie effects of £3-02s-09d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his father William Starmer.
Both his Naval and Army service records are available on-line at “Find my Past UK” & “Ancestry UK”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
