John Tatler

Cpl 21st Btn Manchester Regiment 19816

Died: 04/07-10-1917 age 26

John was the son of Charles and Catherine Tatler nee Donoghue, of 12 Love Street, Chester, who had been married at St Werburgh's on 1 Oct 1888. John was born on 9 February 1891 and baptised on 1 March 1891 at St Werburgh's. He was later confirmed here in 1905.

John was the eldest of three brothers and also had one elder sister, Elizabeth Agnes. Another sister, Margaret, died age two years in August 1894 and was buried from St Werburgh's. A third sister, Catherine Louise, died in 1899 aged seven months and was also buried from St Werbugh's. In April 1901 their mother, Catherine, died and was buried from St Werburgh's. John's elder sister, Elizabeth Agnes, appears to have acted as a mother figure to the boys as they grew up. In 1914 she married Arthur Adams and they came to live at 28 Love Street.

John's enlistment papers have not survived, so little is recorded of his army career. However it was recorded that John served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 10 November 1915 until his death. Cpl John Tatler was reported killed in action in the November 1917 issue of St Werburgh's Parish Magazine.

A more complete description of his life and service was printed in the Cheshire Observer of Saturday 27 October 1917. It stated that his home was with his sister, Mrs Adams of 28 Love Street, and that before the war he was employed by Messrs Taplen and Paddock, printers of Eastgate Row. He enlisted in January 1915 and had seen much fighting in 1916, during which he was wounded. After leave in July 1917 he returned to France, where he was killed in October. His apparently very amiable disposition attracted many friends both at home and throughout his army service.

John's medal roll card shows that he was entitled to the Allied Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star.

His name is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 120-124, 162-162A and 163A. It is also recorded on the WW1 Memorial in the Town Hall and in St Werburgh's Church, Chester.