Grandparents and parents

John’s father was William Henry Hurst, baptised on 25 March 1855, son of William and Jane Hurst. His mother was Emily Ann Hurst, also born about 1855. William Henry was born in Newton le Willows and Emily in Hulme. In 1891 they lived at 103 Darncombe St, Moss Side. William was a bookkeeper for a stationer and binder. They had a son, William Thomas, aged 2. In 1901 they lived at 4 Beaufort Avenue, West Didsbury, with their 2 sons, William Thomas and John Henry, aged 12 and 9. William Henry was now a printer (manager). In 1911 they were living at 173 Burton Rd.

John

John was born in Moss Side on 17 February 1892. He attended William Hulme’s Grammar School from 1904. In 1911, aged 19, he was living with his parents and working as a printer (traveller). In the war he fought with the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers, service number PS/5101. It is unclear whether he was a private or a lance corporal at the time of his death. He received serious head injuries and was admitted to hospital in Boulogne. He died of his injuries on 22 April 1918, aged 26. At the time his parents lived at 10 Derwent Avenue, West Didsbury. At the time of his hospital admission, his brother was also in hospital, having been gassed.

John is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, grave reference XI. E. 10. He is also commemorated on the Old Hulmeians War Memorial.