John Barnett Mennie M.C. 1897 - 1970

Major John Barnett Mennie.

John Barnett Mennie was born in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, to John and Agnes Mennie and was one of four children.

In September 1914 he enlisted in the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Pvt 6/2588 and was posted to "A" Company. In January 1915 he transferred to the M.G. section of the 6th N.F. The 6th Battalion N.F. departed from Seaton Sluice and crossed the English Channel to Boulogne on the night of 20th/21st April 1915 and then by rail and road to Winnezeele on the night of the 22nd. The intention was for the Battalion to take part in Brigade and Divisional training to acclimatize the troops before being fully merged into the B.E.F. Heavy discharge of the new chlorine poison gas and sustained enemy infantry attacks on the 22nd had caused many casualties in the Ypres Salient. Orders were recieved for the 149th Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Battalions N.F.) to proceed to the forward area with all speed, arriving at the trenches near Vlamertinghe at about 6pm on 23rd April. At around 3pm on the 24th April the Germans occupied St Julien. On the night of Saturday 24th April the 149th Brigade marched through Ypres in close column of fours and took up positions in the Potijze area. Early morning on the 25th April the 6th Battalion moved to trenches north of Wieltje and on the 26th April the Brigade recieved orders to attack, capture and hold St Julien. The Brigade set off on its hazardous task at 1:50 pm the 6th Battalion on the left, 7th Battalion on the right of the Wieltje - St Julien Road, the 4th Battalion to support the 7th and the 5th Battalion in reserve.

We were "heavy laden." I had a full pack, rifle and full complement of S.A.A. in my pouches, plus two bandoliers of 50 rounds each, plus two wooden boxes each containing a fully loaded machine gun belt, about another 300 rounds. It was a very warm, sunny afternoon and I had not gone very far until I was almost all in. I remember staggering into one of the old front line trenches along side another soldier in the same bay. I put my head down on the parapet and heaved great gasps of air. Shortly afterwards I lifted my head and saw some of the section making another rush forward. I made to remonstrate with the man beside me for failing to give me the regulation tap on the shoulder indicating the move forward, when I discovered he was dead. Rather alarmed at being left behind, I scrambled out of the trench and dashed across to the next ditch or trench. It was full of live, wounded and dead and I was told in no uncertain terms to find my own cover. Then I noticed Lt Burnand lying out in the open, so, determined not to be left behind again , I ran and flopped down beside him. I felt that, both of us being in the same predicament, K.R.s would forgive me (a private) for speaking to an officer without the neccesary introduction from an N.C.O., so I ventured a remark "Things seem to be getting rather hot, sir" I said. Shrapnel and H.E. shells were bursting in the near vicinity and bullets whizzing past both of us, so I felt the remark was not out of place. Lt Burnand replied : "Yes, Mennie, we should be in the front line very shortly." This understatement reduced me to silence.

Lt Burnand or "Birdie" as he was known, was intently watching the battle through his binoculars, and after a few minutes called for Sgt. Campbell to report to him. Ronnie emerged from the trench at our rear and came alongside. I heard Lt Burnand ordering him to open fire with No1 gun on such and such a target at 400x. I didnt wait to hear anymore because I thought this advance information gave me a chance to lighten my load, so I dashed to No1 gun as soon as it was mounted and was first there with my boxes and had my belt in the breech. Harry Fee No.1 opened fire with several bursts and then he was hit in the stomach. I recieved two bullets in my leg and so Fred Hodgson No.2 was left with the lot. Orders to advance came and I managed to get my belt out of the Gun and Fred picked up both gun and tripod. Whilst endeavouring to staunch four bullet holes with one field dressing I looked round and saw Lt Burnand and the section disappear round some ruined buildings and that was the last time I saw him and, alas, several others.

In the two hours of fighting the casualties of the 6th battalion were 7 officers and 112 other ranks killed, and 7 officers and 492 other ranks wounded. John lay in the field for four hours before an orderly from the R.A.M.G. carried him for over a mile to a dressing station. Some men lay wounded in the field for 24 hours before recieving medical attention. The attack faltered short of the village, but the advance of the German army had been halted. John was then transferred to No13 General Hospital BEF, Boulogne.

On the 12th October 1915 John Barnett Mennie recieved a temporary commision as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 16th Cheshire Regiment and throughout 1916 he served with them in the following areas. Locon, Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle, Richebourg, Hinges, Arras (Blangy Village) and Agnez-Les Duisans. In 1917 he served at Chilly and Offoy and on 6th June 1917 he was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant of the 105th Trench Mortar Battery. In the New years honours 1st Jan 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross, which was presented to him on March 16th 1918 at Buckingham Palace.

		Military Hospital 1915 				Neuve Chapelle April 1916				Richebourg - May 1916 (Rue de Bois).
		(middle row, second left)			 Hewitt,Capt Thurgood,Capt Bacon,Lt Halsall 
								Lt Mennie, Lt Blake.	

In Febuary 1919 Lieutenant J.B. Mennie was released from duty. Shortly after his arrival home his father died and John took over the family business and worked in the jewellers shop at No 9 Newbridge st, Newcastle. In 1924 John B Mennie married and had two daughters in 1926 and 1928.

At the call of his country he again volunteered for service and joined the LDV on 25th May 1940 and by 1941 was Major in charge of "C" Company 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Home Guard. His tireless approach to command and attention to detail was evident throughout his service in an attempt to make "C" Company second to none. In recognition of this he was posted to Battalion Headquarters as Second i/c 12th Battalion in 1943. He remained in this position until the Home Guard stood down on 1st November 1944.

Military Cross, 1914-18 Star, British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-18, Home Defense Medal.

Mr W.C. Carter, Mr W.R. Fisher and Mr J.B. Mennie, all wounded on the same day 26th April 1916, attended the 1966 Horthumberland Fusiliers reunion.

After WW2 he worked fulltime in the family jewellers shop and in 1964 with former comrades returned to France for the 50th anniversary of the commencement of WW1and visited many of the places in which he had seen action, including St Julien. He was a regular at the annual Northumberland Fusilier reunions and contributed to the St Georges Gazette, a member of the National Association of Goldsmiths, a fellow of the Gemological Association and the National Jewellers Association. He was also a founder member of the St Oswald Lodge of Freemasons. After 50 years as a retail jeweller JB Mennie retired to his home in Mitchell Ave, Jesmond and then to Carlisle until his death in March 1970 .

Information and photographs kindly supplied by Mr M Steven.

If you have any information on John Barnett Mennie or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk