Driver John Thomas Larkin.

18212 Royal Field Artillery.

Died 18th October 1917, aged 42.

John was born in the March quarter of 1875 in Burnley.  The son of  Martin Larkin and Bridget Higgins. In the 1881 census the family lived at 1 & 3 Shea St, Burnley. They had a Grocer’s shop. Martin 40, Bridget 34, Patrick 12, Mary A 9, John 6 and Rose 4 months. All the family were born in Burnley.

Martin was a widower by the time of the 1891 census and the family had moved to 13 Park St. Martin 45, Mary 19, John 16, Rosey 10, Catherine 7.

John joined the Royal Artillery on the 9^th March 1899 having previously has experience with the 4^th Battalion of the Liverpool Regt. He served on the home front from 9^th March until 16^th Aug 1899 then he was posted to Malta and stayed there until March 1901. After Malta he was posted to India and when he had served his time in 1903 he extended his service so as to gain 8 years with the colours. His character was described as very good. His home address in Burnley was George St.

 Out of the army and back in civilian life he was lodging at 9 Charles Row Burnley in the 1911 census. With his previous army record I would have expected him to be mobilised in 1914.

John was buried in Burnley Cemetery, England: Grave Ref; Screen Wall. 345. Son of Martin and Bridget Larkin, of Burnley.