Martin H. Watson Family Tree

I replied to this message on https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2002/01/03/norton-green-c1900-2/

Peter Stocks on November 7, 2011 at 7:06 pm said:
Grandfather Jack – (John James Cox Stocks) ran the Black Horse hotel sometime between the 2 great wars. He was an ex Coldstream Guard and lost his arm in 1915. Does anyone know of the pub/ hotel and what is the building now? 07/11/2011 19:48:40

 

 

Hello, Peter, John James Cox Stocks married my great aunt Lavinia Adamson Leggett in 1915. Her brother, Thomas William Leggett was my grandfather. I'd love to make contact and discuss this further. I don't know if my website which I entered below will be displayed, but if not, you can search for her full name, you should be able to find links to my website which mentions her. I can be contacted via the link on the 'My Profile' or Contact pages. You must be some sort of second cousin to me by marriage. Your comment above was of great interest. Please do contact me.

Martin

Biography
On leaving school John worked for a time as a Butcher before enlisting in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstrean Guards on 4 July 1907, service No 7327. He rose through the ranks to the rank of Colour Seargent. On the outbreak of the First World War he was sent to France where he lost his left arm on 5 November 1914 (it is believed that John was struck by an artillery shell that luckily did not explode and that he lay in no mans land for some days during which time he amputated the remains of his arm with his bayonet. When he was eventually recoverd it was necessary to remove further sections of his arm twice due to gangreen infection). After his recovery he spent the remainder of the war on administration and training duties before being discharged on 18 March 1918.

On leaving the millitary John lived in the Brighton area of Sussex during which time he was a founder member of the Old Coldstreamers Branch of Sussex, and owned a pie shop in Albion Hill, Brighton, from conversations with John it would appear that he also worked as a security officer on the Palace Pier Brighton, also at the Esso Petrol Distribution Depot in Fishersgate which he left after being asked what steps he would take in the case of a fir. Ever the honest man that he was he replied "BLOODY GREAT BIG ONES"! Regretfully he was pointing to the nearest exit at the time - honest maybe but not tackful.

He then returned north to run the Black Horse pub at Great Broughton, Yorkshire, for many years.

On retirement he spent many happy years wth his wife in Darlington untill her death in 1973, after which he moved to Shaftsbury Dorset to live with his son Walter until his death.

From various documents, letters etc it would appesr that John was living at;-

174 Rock Avenue, Gillingham, Kent. on 6 May 1920. whilst attending training.

The Lord Burnham Hostel, 88 Preston Road, Brighton.9 Oct 1920 to 9 Jan 1922 as a Temporary Clerk.

119 Albion Hill, Brighton, Sussex. on 18 Aug 1922/3/4/5/6/7/9/30.

John was earning his living as a Cooked Meats Retailer in 1923/4.

John was earning his living as a Wardrobe Dealer in 1929.

55 St Leonards Road, Hove, Sussex.1931/2/3/.

Possibly with his father at Norton on Tees, Durham prior to taking the pub.

The Black Horse Public House at Great Broughton from about Feb 1933.

31 Bates Avenue, Darlington, Durham. First known date 14 July 1944.

1 Richmond Close, Darlington, Durham. to about 1973. Also letter from dated 5 Sep 1965.

17 Glyn Place, Warlington, Dorset. from about 1974.(with his son Walter).

https://www.myheritage.com/person-1000139_196690211_196690211/john-james-cox-stocks