John Sanderson was born in 1880 in Hartlepool. The Navy record on his death on 22nd September 1914 gives his birth as 19th December 1882, but other records and census returns suggest it to be 1880.
John was the second son of James Sanderson, a shipyard rivetter from Tyneside, possibly Heworth, and his wife Mary who was born in Stockton. In 1881, the family were in High St Hartlepool and there was 6 year old Mary Ann, James aged 4 and one year old John E Sanderson.
By 1891, father James must have died as Mary was a widow and the family were already in Henry St, Hartlepool. There was also a further son, Robert. Brother James, at 13 years of age was already a catcher in the shipyard.
In World War 1, John Sanderson was serving on HMS Aboukir when it was struck, along with two sister ships,on patrol in the North Sea. From the three ships, a total of 1397 men lost their lives including John Sanderson. His mother Mary was informed of her son's death at the home in Henry Street. He is remembered on the Chatham Memorial.
