Williamson, John Stanley
Second Lieutenant
1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of wounds on Sunday 25 April 1915 (aged 28)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey (Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219)
BIOGRAPHY
The death of Second Lieutenant John Stanley Williamson was reported in the 18 June 1915 edition of the County Down Spectator.
It was reported that Second Lieutenant John Stanley Williamson was a stepson of the Rev John Magill, formerly Methodist minister at Donaghadee, and subsequently Clones, before he retired to Somerset.
In the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour website it is recorded that John Stanley Williamson was a son of Mrs Magill (formerly Williamson) of The Grove, Gilford and the late John Williamson.
John Stanley Williamson was born on 17 July 1886 at 24 Summer Hill, Cork and he was a son of John and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Williamson (nee Anglin) who were married on 24 July 1877 in the Wesley Chapel, Patrick Street, Cork. John Williamson was a son of John Williamson, a gentleman. Elizabeth Anglin was a daughter of William Anglin, a provision merchant.
John Williamson was a draper and he and Lizzie had at least seven children:
Herbert Reginald (born 16 September 1878)
Arthur Evelyn (born 21 April 1880)
Violet Irene (born 24 January 1882)
John Stanley (born 17 July 1886)
Francis (born 13 June 1889)
Alfred (born 17 February 1891)
James (born 26 November 1899, five months after his father died)
Their father, John Williamson, died of Bright’s Disease on 28 June 1899 (aged 59). His son Arthur was with him when he died. His wife Lizzie remarried sometime after 1 April 1901 and before 16 August 1904.
John Stanley Williamson was an apprentice before he joined the Army on 16 August 1904 (aged 18) and he cited as his next-of-kin his mother, Mrs Magill of North Curry, Taunton. He served in England from 16 August 1904 until 3 November 1910 when he was posted to India. There he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant on 5 December 1914.
During the Great War, Second Lieutenant John Stanley Williamson served with the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and he was 28 when he died of wounds at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
Second Lieutenant John Stanley Williamson has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli. He was awarded a trio of medals – the 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Probate of his will was granted on 15 March 1916 at Exeter to Violet Irene Thompson, wife of William Thompson.
The Rev Magill died on 18 March 1926 and probate of his will was granted to his widow, Elizabeth Ann Magill.