Gunner John McKone
Royal Regiment of Artillery, 5th Brigade, Service no. 271866
Born: 26th May 1891. Died: 22nd February 1954
Private William McKone
Royal Army Medical Corps, Service no. 29445
Born: 28th November 1885. Died: 1961
Story
John and William were born in Kippax, two sons of Thomas and Margaret McKone who moved to Kippax from Country Mayo. After Thomas passed away in 1899, Margaret brought up the family at Chapel Houses, Kippax. These houses were named after the first Wesleyan Chapel, and were located on the site of the Central Club. Before the War, John and William both worked at the colliery. William enlisted into the Army first, joining the Royal Army Medical Corp. He married Ethel Parker in 1920 and lived at 28 New Street, before moving to Kippax Common, where in 1939, William was still working as a coal miner. The couple moved to 42 Barley Hill Road, Garforth, where during the Second World War, William acted as an ARP Warden. He passed away at the age of 62.
John McKone married Lucy Rye in Great Preston on 26th August 1915. With his wife heavily pregnant, John was called up for service on 23rd February 1916. They had a son, James Rye McKone on 28th March 1916. John was 5 ft 7 inches tall, and trained in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, then Catterick. He was mobilised on 24th October 1918, which was the day his wife passed away. Their son James was brought up by Lucy’s sister Annie. John was discharged from the Army on 14th December 1918, to be released back for coal mining. John did not re-marry, and moved back to Chapel Houses, before moving to 24 The Grove, Kippax, where he was working as a Plasterer’s Apprentice. He later moved to 27 Park Avenue, and passed away in St James’ Hospital at the age of 62.
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