John Rush was born in Hartlepool in 1884 and was the first of the seven children of John Rush and his wife Anne, nee Bell, who had been married in Hartlepool in 1881. Although she was born in Hartlepool,Annie Bell's parents had come to the town from Scarborough and her father was a coastguard.
John Rush senior was a sea going marine engineer who had been born in Sunderland, the son of Sunderland born couple Matthew (a pilot) and his wife Ellen.
In 1891, John and Annie Rush were in Catherine Street on the Headland with children John, Florence and baby Matthew. They were at the same address in 1901, by that time John Rush was an apprentice marine engine fitter and there were three further children.
In 1911, John was possibly at sea. His mother Annie was in Milton Street West Hartlepool with son Matthew who was a marine draughtsman, and another daughter Minnie. Her husband John senior was a boarder in Sunderland and,as he was given as a sea going engineer, he was possibly about to board a ship.
John Rush was lost on the Paddle Minesweeper HMS Fair Maid,when she was mined and sunk near the Cross Sand Buoy, Harwich. His parents were informed of his death and he is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.
