Pte 267375 John Rimmer

• Age: 20
• From: Southport, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 20th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Southport Duke St Cem Lancs
  Panel Ref: XV.CE.404

CWGC state John was the “Son of George and Mary Jane Rimmer, of 18, Hulme Street, Southport” but Mary Jane was actually his step-mother.

John Rimmer was born in 1898 in Accrington, Lancashire the son of George Rimmer and his wife Mary Bridget (née Quigley) who were married in 1890 in Hyndburn, Lancashire. 

On the 1891 Census they were living at 73 Dowry St, Accrington. Father George is aged 26, a general labourer born Southport, whilst Mary B. was aged 28, a cotton warper, born in New Mills, Derbyshire. After having three children, his mother, Mary Bridget, sadly died aged 38, in 1900.

On the 1901 Census there is a large swathe of Rimmer families living between 72-82 High Park Road in Southport. At No.72 is George Rimmer, a widower, aged 39, born in Southport with his children; Alice, aged  8, Ann, aged 6 and John, aged 3. They are living with George’s married sister, Ellen and James Hall.

Based of the 1911 Census, George Rimmer, married widow, Mary Jane Johnson, in about 1903 but no record of the marriage has been found.

Previously on the 1901 Census his step-mother Mary Jane (née Johnson) was a widow, aged 38, living at 6 Sheffield Road, Southport with children Fanny, aged 11, Isabella, aged 7, Margaret, aged 5 and Annie, aged 4. Her husband William had died in 1899.

On the 1911 Census they are living at 32 Hope Street, Southport. His father, George, is aged 46, and is a general labourer, his step-mother, Mary, is aged 47. She has been married 8 years, the only child in the marriage had died. Isabella, is aged 17, Margaret, is aged 15 and Annie is aged 14. They also have the Duffy family boarding. John is still present on the 1911 Census as a 13 year old scholar. 

He was serving with the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 267375 when he died of wounds, at Brighton Military Hospital which John received in action on October 3rd. He joined the Army soon after the outbreak of war, and was first wounded in France in September 1917, and was invalided home. In March 1918 he was sent to the Italian front and after a little service there, was drafted to Salonica, but was again transferred to France a few months before he received his fatal wounds.

The Rev Canon Inskip from Christ Church officiated at the funeral. A detachment of soldiers from the King's came down from Liverpool and marched at the slow march with arms reversed, followed by the coffin which was covered by a large Union Jack, and conveyed on an Army motor wagon, the coaches of the family mourners bringing up the rear. At the cemetery the bearers came with the firing party, and at the end of the committal service, three volleys were fired, and the "Last Post" sounded. Extract taken from the Southport Visitor dated 26th October 1918. John was aged 20, when he died.

Hohn's Service Record shows:-

10.02.17 - Embarked Folkestone for Boulogne.

12.02.17 - Arrived at 24 I.B.Depot

10.03.17 - Joined Battn.

20.09.17 - Received GSW in left arm in Belgium, admitted to 12 C.C.S. and moved to 5 Gen. Hospital, Rouen (also contused neck).

23.09.17 - To England on H.S. “George”.

01.03.19 - Embarked England.

19.03.18 - Disembarked Itea, Greece from Tarantino.

26.03.18 - Joined Base Depot, Salonika.

30.03.18 - Joined 14/KLR, A Coy.

29.06.18 - Embarked Itea.

30.06.18 - Disembarked Tarantino, Italy.

11.07.18 - BEF.

03.08.18 - Posted to 18th Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry.

13.08.18 - Joined unit in the field.

08.10.18 - Wounded in Action, GSW to back, admitted to 1/2 N(orthumbrian). F.A.

09.10.18 - Admitted to 1 Gen.Hospital, GSW chest.

15.10.18 - To UK on H.S. “Formosa”.

He died at 11.30pm on the 20th October 1918 at the Kitchener Hospital, Brighton.

John now rests in Duke Street Cemetery, Southport. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

“PEACE PERFECT PEACE”

Southport (Duke Street) Cemetery contains 97 First World War burials and 69 from the Second World War. Most of the burials are scattered throughout the cemetery but there are also small plots containing burials of both wars. Those buried in collective and joint graves in Plot C are named on a Screen Wall memorial.

His death was reported in the Manchester Evening News on Monday 28th October 1918;

FROM THE DISTRICTS.

SOUTHPORT.

Pte. JOHN RIMMER, K.L.R., 18, Hulme-street, Southport, died of wounds received in France. Joined shortly after the outbreak of war, been previously wounded, and had seen service in Italy and Salonica.

He earned his three medals.

His father received his Soldiers Effects, Army Pay £25 14s 10d and a War Gratuity of £16. The pension card, in the name of his mother Mary Jane, does not show an amount.

Personal items returned included:- foreign coins, 1 glass (broken), 1 strap, tooth powder, writing pad, novel, packets of cigarettes, one housewife(?), comb, woolen cap, toothbrush, thimble, wallet containing letters and cards, handkerchief, pair of drum badges and shoulder titles, 2 pencils, 2 identity discs, shaving stick.

On the 1921 Census at 18 Hulme Street, Southport, his father, George, is aged 56, a platelayer for Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, his step-mother, Mary is aged 58.

His father died, aged 67, in 1931.

On the 1939 Register at Hulme Street, Mary, date of birth 24th February 1863, is now widowed and living alone.

His step-mother, died aged 87, in 1951.

We currently have no further information on John Rimmer, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.