John was born in Preston Brook about 1897 and was one of eleven children to John T and Annie Margaret Ridgway (nee Skinner). His father was a police constable originally from Nantwich and by 1901 was the constable for Preston Brook. Samuel’s mother had been born in the Isle of Man.
The family consisting of elder sisters Amelia and Mary, younger sister Margaret and elder brother Samuel all lived at the police “station” on the Chester Road. Another elder sister, Sarah was not living at home and sadly five other children had died in infancy.
Before 1911, John’s police work had taken the family to Wavertree in Liverpool and by 1911 he had retired from the police force. Young John was working as a joiner‘s apprentice. Their home address was now 86 Langton Road.
John joined the 5th Battalion of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment (number 200414) and was eventually promoted to corporal. His brother, Samuel, also joined the same battalion.
John was killed in action on the 20th September 1917. He was buried in Zonnebeke in Belgium.
10/11/2015