John Charles Fairweather was born in East Wickham, on 24th October 1895, the oldest child of John Norton Fairweather and Sarah Elizabeth Fairweather.
John Norton was born in Scotland, was still living at home with his parents at the time of the 1891 census and working as a joiner. John Norton married Sarah Elizabeth Rogers on 22nd February 1895 at Dartford. And by the time of the 1901 Census John is working as a general labourer and they were living at 22 Talfourd Road in Welling together with their four children: John, Jane, Daisy and Alexander, aged from 5 years down to 7 months.
John Charles attended Foster’s School from 16th August 1900 until he moved to the Upper School in April 1903. He was joined there by his sisters – Jane in May 1900 and Daisy in June 1902.
By the time of the 1911 census the family has grown by another two children, Mable and William and have moved along Talfourd Road to No 38 (this road is renamed Springfield Road in 1912). John Charles is now 15 and working as a florist. In view of there being so many market gardens in the area, and that several florists are listed in East Wickham and Welling Trade Directories of the time, it is quite possible that John worked locally.
John volunteered at the start of the war and served with the 20th London Regiment (Blackheath & Woolwich). They were initially stationed at Blackheath as part of the 5th London Brigade of the 2nd London Division and then moved to St Albans. He arrived in Le Havre on 9th March 1915. On 11th May 1915, the formation became the 141st Brigade of the 47th Division and engaged in various action of the Western Front. Including the Battle of Festubert 15th to 25th May 1915, during which more than 16,000 British casualties were sustained.
John Charles Fairweather was killed in action on 27th May 1915 when he was 19 years old.
An extract from the 20th London Regiment War Diary :
“May 27th 1915
Work of repairing and cleaning up trenches, consolidating and construction of new communication trenches continued practically night and day without stop. All ranks duly allowed the minimum of rest to enable them to carry on. Sentries reduced to a minimum compatible with safety and to check enemy’s sniping, so as to have every possible man working. Moderate shellfire and considerable sniping all day.”
In his will, written just three month before he died, John left “all my property and effects to my mother, 33 Springfield Road, Welling, Kent.” He is remembered at Le Touret Memorial in France.
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