Sep 27, 1895

Born in Walsall, Staffordshire, England to Benjamin and Catherine (nee Goodwin) Starkey

John’s father, Benjamin, passed away in 1907

John emigrated to Canada in 1912 and settled in Toronto, Ontario

Aug 7, 1915

Attested into the 83^rd Battalion CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Number 171210

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Catherine Starkey, mother, Walsall, Staffordshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Gas Fitter

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to the battalion’s 1^st Regimental Draft

 
Initial training was carried out at the Niagara Camp, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Sep 25, 1915

The 1^st Regimental Draft embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec

Oct 6, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe where the draft was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Jan 27, 1916

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent

Feb 19, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Feb 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 649 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 12, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Starkey joined the 21^st Battalion in billets is La Clytte, Belgium

Jun 14, 1916

While in the front line trenches 33 – 38 near Verbrande Molen, Belgium on the Ypres Salient, Private Starkey was received shrapnel wounds to his buttocks and shoulder and was evacuated to the No. 1 Field Ambulance for first aid

Jun 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 17 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and placed on the dangerously ill list

Jun 20, 1916

Private John Starkey died of his wounds at 1:10 am and was buried in the nearby Lijssenthoek Cemetery, south of Poperinge, Belgium

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. C. Starkey, c/o Mrs. Perry, 517 Oakwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Sep 29, 1916

John Starkey’s mother, Catherine, embarked the RMS Metagama in Liverpool with her daughter Florence

Oct 7, 1916

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and Catherine and Florence proceeded to Toronto to join Catherine’s married daughter, Susannah Perry

John Starkey is remembered on a plaque in the Walsall, England Town Hall

 
He is also honoured in the Walsall Roll of Honour in the
Walsall local History Centre

He is also remembered on a plaque in the St. John's Church, Pleck, Walsall