Ordinary Seaman John Thomas Dexter
S.S.8790 HMS Diadem, Royal Navy
John Thomas was born on 2nd June 1898 in Alfreton, son of Thomas Dexter, an iron moulder (and later a coke worker) and Lucy (nee Waplington) both originating from Alfreton. In 1911 his parents are recorded on the census as visitors of Charles and Susannah Webb at their home on Main Road, Jacksdale, then known as ‘The Common’ and their three children are in Sheffield.
In 1901 the family was living with Sarah Waplington, their maternal grandmother, at King William Street, Ironville. John Thomas was with them and also his younger sister Alice, only three months old, born 1901 Alfreton. In 1902 another sibling was born named Robert. Robert married Edith Hill in 1927 at St. Mary’s and Alice went on to marry Allan Martin in 1929 at St. Mary’s and they had a son named Bernard Dexter Martin later that year.
We have no information regarding his time in the Navy, except to say that his Naval Medal Rolls entry indicates that he was a recipient of the Victory and British War Medals and he is recorded on the Absent Voters Roll of 1918/1919 as absent from Oakland Cottage, Albert Avenue, Jacksdale.
We believe John Thomas married Nellie Roper in 1924, in the Basford District and that they may have had a daughter named Kathleen.
We believe John Thomas Dexter died in the Mansfield District in 1974 and that his wife Nellie pre-deceased him in 1932. His father Thomas died aged 74 in 1942 and his mother Lucy died aged 69 in 1938, both are buried at St. Mary’s, Westwood.