Died as a result of injuries sustained during an enemy bombing raid.
Date of Death:
Monday 1st September 1941
Place of Death:
First Aid Station, Blaydon on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated:
Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Stargate War Memorial, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated:
-
Overseas Commemorated:
-
Buried:
Ryton Cemetery, Hexham Old Road, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham
Decoration and Medals:
Photographs:
2
Service Records:
No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of Jane Cowings, of 21 Whitewell Terrace, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham, and the late James Cowings.
Husband of Hannah Cowings, of 3 Thorpe Avenue, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Son and a daughter.
Notes :
On a pleasant and warm Monday evening a lone German bomber dropped two high explosive bombs over the town of Blaydon on Tyne, resulting in devastating consequences. One bomb hit the residential area of Delacour Road, killing some residents, the other hitting Donald Browns Factory, Tyne Street, which was situated parallel with the Newcastle to Hexham main road. At exactly the same time the bomb hit the factory a Venture bus on its way to Greenside had stopped on the opposite side of the road to allow passengers to get on and off. Part of the blast hit the bus resulting in further deaths and injuries. John was a passenger on the bus and was hit by the blast. He later died of his injuries at a local First Aid Station. The other male passenger to die of injuries was William Irwin, aged 17 years who resided at 24 Burnhills Gardens, Greenside; he died on his way to the First Aid Station. Twenty five other passengers on the bus needed treatment for their injuries. One fatality also occurred within the factory, which was virtually demolished.
Sources Used:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register (Civilian War Dead)
Information from family member.
