Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1883 in the Sculcoates R.D. - ref: 9d/168, the
eldest son of John William and Eliza Ann Mears (nee Roper).

1891 Census - 12 Bridson Street, Pendleton, Salford.    Son - aged: 8 -
born: Hull, Yorkshire.    Head of household - John Mears - Married - aged:
31 - occ: Labourer - born: Hampstead, London.  Also - Eliza Mears - Wife -
aged: 26 - born: Sheffield, Yorkshire.    Plus 1 younger sibling.

1901 Census - 45 Hayes Road, Irlam, Cadishead.   Son - aged: 18 - occ:
Labourer (Ship Canal) - born: Hull, Yorkshire.  Head of household - John
Mears - Married - aged: 42 - occ: Labourer (Ship Canal) - born: Hampstead,
London.  Also - Eliza Mears - Wife - aged: 37 - born: Sheffield, Yorkshire.
   Plus 5 younger siblings that included his two brothers who would also be
killed in WW1.

1911 Census - 10 Whitfield Street, Cadishead.   Son - aged: 28 - occ: Coal
Trimmer - born: Hull, Yorkshire.   Head of household - John Mears - Married
- aged: 53 - occ: Foreman Labourer (Ship Canal Coy) - born: Hampstead,
London.  Also - Eliza Mears - Wife - aged: 46 - born: Sheffield, Yorkshire.
   Plus 4 younger siblings that included his two brothers who would also be
killed in WW1.    His father, his two brothers and himself all worked for
the Manchester Ship Canal Company.

Two of their eight children had died by 1911 and all three of their sons
would be killed during WW1.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with 'Y' Company of the 11th Trench Mortar Battery, The Royal Field
Artillery, attached to the 11th Division.   John was born in Weaste.   His
father worked at the Manchester Ship Canal Company as a ganger in charge of
the bargemen.   Before enlisting, John worked as a coal trimmer at
Partington coaling basin.  He had been a prominent full-back for Cadishead
Rugby team in its best days and also played some games with Warrington
second team.

He enlisted, along with James William Tynan, at Bury in the Royal Field
Artillery (RFA) on 2nd September 1914 and went overseas with the RFA,
arriving in Egypt on 1st July 1915.   He later served in Gallipoli and the
Western Front.   The 1917 Official Record and Roll of Honour by Joseph
Cooke states that John Mears was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal
(DCM), however, there are no official records of the award.   It appears
that he was noted for a gallant act and recommended for a medal but nothing
official came of the award.   His two younger brothers, Stanley and Thomas,
had died fighting on the Somme the previous year.   His parents, John
William and Eliza Mears, must have suffered more than could possibly be
imagined.   Medal Entitlement: 15 Star Trio.