John William (Jack) Porter (1891–1975)

Corporal

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
31287 17th Battalion

Photo courtesy David Brown & Michael Porter

Photo of Jack Porter in WW1

Biography
Jack was born in July 1891; his parents were John Alfred and Ann Porter. Before the war he was a member of Crich United Football Club. He was a limestone quarryman who was one of the first to enlist in the Foresters in 1914 . He joined the 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in October 1915 and entered France in March 1916. Although wounded in his left hand he was back in the trenches two weeks later. In October 1916 he was again wounded by shrapnel through the neck, narrowly missing his jugular vein, and was returned to England for hospital treatment before being discharged as unfit for further service in February 1919. He was awarded the Silver War Badge. Jack married Rosie Allen in November 1918 at Belper. She died in 1967 and Jack died eight years later in 1975 .

Jack was one of the first Crich recruits enrolling in October 1914. The photographs show these first recruits in the garden of Roskeen, home to the village doctors

Crich recruits in 1914

Ian P. Macdonald; William Burr; William Curzon; John Walker; Nelson Martin;
Jack Kneebone; William Frost; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Cauldwell;
Jack Porter; George Perry; Noble Tomlinson

Crich recruits 1914

Included with these recruits are: Ian Macdonald; Billy Curzon; Jack Porter; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Kneebone; Billy Burr; Noble Tomlinson; Tom Coleman; Billy Frost; Luke Coleman; Jack Cauldwell; George Perry. It is believed that John Roe, brothers Herbert and Steven Bollington (and possibly John) are also amongst this group.

The following photographs, postcards and memorabilia are courtesy of Michael Porter

Army group in WW1

Jack Porter – rear centre

Jack Poter on duty in WW1

Jack Porter on guard duty

soldier group in WW1

Jack Porter second left

Jack Porter and two friends in WW1

Jack Porter seated

Jack Porter with nurses in VAD hospital WW1

Jack Porter with VAD nurses

Jack Porter and his wife in WW1

Jack Porter with his wife Rosie Allen

Like many soldiers he sent and received postcards.

Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Christmas card to wife Rosie from Jack

Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Christmas booklet

Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1
Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Three embroidered cards

Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Greetings card

Postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Birthday card to Jack's wife

photo postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

photo postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

photo postcard from Jack Porter in WW1

Photo postcards were often sent showing places seen during the war.

arrmy band in WW1

Unknown whether Jack is part of this army band

Soldiers with teddy bear in WW1

Photo of five colleagues

Documentations relating to Jack Porter:

WW1 document to Jack Porter

WW1 document to Jack Porter

WW1 document to Jack Porter

Collection of Jack Porter's memorablia

Framed collection of Jack Porter's memorabilia

During WW2 Jack was in the Home Guard.

Jack Porter in the Home Guard during WW2

Jack Porter in the Home Guard during WW2

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Courier, 30 August 1913
CRICH UNITED
Although accepted as members of the Erewash league, the United, under the ruling of the D.F.A.will again be members of the Matlock Junior League. Possessed of practical members on the committee, an enthusiastic secretary in Mr W. H. Perry, and a good list of serviceable players, the club is hoping to occupy a high position in the league table. Mr Maurice Deacon is the president, and Dr G.G. Macdonald and Mr G.C. Birch are vice-presidents. The committee is comprised of: Messrs. D.M. Brown (chairman), G.V. Ferguson (vice-chairman), Hy. Holtham, Hy. Wetton, F. Ward, Jos. Perry, F. Whitehead, F. and J. Porter, Isaac and William Coleman, C. Harper, I. Hartstone and Jas. Mellors. The majority of last season's players are retained and include A. Crowder (vice-chairman), John Curzon, A. Leafe, Luke Coleman, Tom Coleman, Vernon and Tom Greenhough, D. Cooke, and Wm. Rowe. New players include Jas. Amatt (late Holloway, who is to captain the team and who should provide prove a valuable acquisition), J. Hudson (Holloway), S. Taylor (goal), and A. Matthews (Whatstandwell), while the services of Mr G.C. Birch have been promised. Several other signatures are expected and although the club has lost the services of F. Mellors, who was been signed on by Sheffield Wednesday, Sam Taylor should prove a valuable substitute. The headquarters of the club are at the Black Swan Hotel, and the ground is Jefferies Lane Field. Financially the club is on the right side, a small balance of being in hand.
Mr J. Mellors is appointed groundsmen. And the contract for conveyance of players is let to Mr F. Davis of Holloway. Cup and Medal competitions have been entered for. The first home league match is on Wakes Saturday, Oct. 11th, when Slaley will be entertained.

His marriage was reported in newspaper

Derbyshire Courier, 16 November 1918
CRICH, LEA, & HOLLOWAY.
On Thursday of last week, at Belper, the wedding took place of Corpl. John W Porter, eldest son of Mrs A.Porter, of Bottom Side, and Miss Rosie Allen, eldest daughter of Mr Samuel Allen of the Tors, Crich. The bridegroom was one of the first group to enlist from Crich, and has nearly 4 years service in France. The bridesmaids were bride's sister, Miss Mabel Alan, and Miss Annie Porter, the bridegroom's sister. Mr Fred Porter brother of the bridegroom was best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride. The bridegroom left to rejoin his regiment on Sunday.

Owing to the illness of the vicar the services at Crich Parish Church were conducted by the Rev. James Williams on Sunday. Mr Williams, who was been cureate in the parish for several years is a chaplain with the forces.

Medal Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals; also the Silver War Badge
Corporal.

Silver War Badge
31287, Corporal Poter, John William: Badge B110583, Enlisted 6.10.15 Discharged 4.2.19 sickness Para 392 xvi

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Hagg Farm, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John A Porter Head 39 Horse driver Risley, Beds
Ann Porter wife 41   Wooley Moor
Elizabeth Porter daughter 12   Fritchley
Jno. W Porter son 9   Fritchley
Frederic Porter son 8   Fritchley
Annie Porter daughter 5   Fritchley

RG13 piece 3231 folio 62 page 9

1911: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Alfred Porter Head 50 Contractor carter Risley, Beds
Ann Porter wife 51   Woolleymore
John Porter son 19 Limestone quarryman Crich
Fred Porter son 18 Labourer wire mills Crich
Annie Porter daughter 15 Factory sleeve hand, hosiery Crich
Edward Porter son 8 School Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN63

939 Register: Chapel Lane Crich
John W Porter b.18 July 1891; lorry driver brick works
Rosie Porter b.9 July 1895
Grace E Gregory (Porter) b.13 January 1920; silk hosiery sorter
Gladys M Wheatcroft (Porter) b.29 march 1921; rib cutting hosiery works
Irene Porter b.12 December 1923; linker hosiery
Betty Porter b.7 August 1926; school
one closed record