Captain
John Arthur METTHAM
Engineers
Died: 12th November 1918 - Age: 39

Commemorated:

1. Memorial:Archangel MemorialA.4 Murmansk
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.130
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour8B GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Early Life :

Son of Susan Mettham (widow) and the late Arthur Mettham, of 13, High Street, Grantham. Husband of Edith Anne Maud Smith.

Family :

John was born on 16th June 1879 in Nottingham. He was the son of Susan Metham who was made a widow shortly after John's birth. At the time of the 1901 census John and his mother were living at 13 High St Grantham and Susan is running her own business as a Fish and Game Dealer. John was educated at the King's School, and then trained as an architect. Prior to entering into business for himself, he was an assistant with Messrs Green and Wright. In 1910, he was appointed surveyor to the Grantham Court of Sewers. Captain Mettham was a member of the Doric Lodge of Freemasons. Father Arthur Mettham born 1852, died 1879 Nottingham 1st December in Nottingham, probate in January 1880 of Smithy-row Nottingham, a fish and game dealer, estate £450 To Susan Mettham. Mother Susan Mettham born 1850 Manchester married 1878(July-September) Worksop As Susan Hind Census 1881 - Arthur Mettham age 1 year, Mother Susan Mettham age 32 a widow and Grand Father Samuel Davy age 64 a farmer. John Arthur Mettham was admitted to the Kings school on 14th September 1888. Census 1891 - John A. Mettham age 11 years, living with his Mother Susan Mettham a fish and game dealer Also at 6, London Road, Grantham was Emily Mae Davy age 70 Census 1901 - John A. Mettam age 21 an architect, with his Mother Susan Mettham age 51 a fish and game Dealer living at 13, High Street, Grantham. John Arthur Mettham married 1906 ( April- June ) in Nuneaton to Edith Anne Maud Smith Census 1911 - John Arthur Mettham age 31 an architect, with his wife Edith A.M Mettham age 27 born Shillington, living at 27 Gladstone Terrace, Grantham One child found John Miles Mettham born 1915(April- June) Grantham He died in Grantham in March 1979 age 63. Probate - John Arthur Mettam of Barrowby Road, Grantham, Lincs. died 12th November 1918 in Russia. Probate London 25th January to Edith Maud Mettham effects £4041-15s-1d Edith A.M. Mettham died March 1965 Grantham.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: Royal Engineers 

Action : Russia 

The Allied intervention was a multi-national military expedition launched in 1918 during the Russian Civil War and World War I. With the end of the Great War, the Allies, fearful of Bolshevism, openly intervened in the Russian Civil War, giving support to the pro-Tsarist, anti-Bolshevik White forces. However, opposition for the ongoing campaign became widespread, due to a combination of a lack of public support and war weariness; divided objectives and a lack of an overarching strategy also hampered the effort. These factors, together with the evacuation of the Czechoslovak legion and the deteriorating situation compelled the Allies to withdraw from North Russia and Siberia in 1920.

Detail :

The Grantham Journal reports on the 23rd November, 1918."It is with deep regret we record this week the death of Captain John Arthur Mettham, R.E., the sad event taking place at Archangel, Northern Russia, on November 12th. The first intimation was received by wire from the War Office, on Monday night, and on the following day a cablegram arrived from Captain McArthur stating that Captain Mettham was admitted to Hospital on November 10th seriously ill, and that he was with him when he died. Captain Mettham, who was the only son of Mrs. Mettham, North Street, was well known locally as an architect and surveyor. He served his articles with Mr C.W. Smith (now of Brighton), and married the eldest daughter of that gentleman. In September 1915, he joined the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant, and seven days later proceeded to France. Subsequently. He underwent an operation for appendicitis, and returned home for a few months, Then he, proceeded to Irvine, Scotland where he took the rank of Acting-Major, and about three months ago was granted a Captaincy, and was drafted to Russia. The nature of the illness to which he succumbed is not stated. Captain Mettham, was aged 39, was educated at the King's School, and had spent the whole of his life in Grantham. Prior to entering into business for himself, he was an assistant with Messrs Green and Wright. In 1910, he was appointed surveyor to the Grantham Court of Sewers. Captain Mettham was a member of the Doric Lodge of Freemasons. Much sympathy will be felt for his wife and child and mother."

Probate METHTHAM John Arthur of Barrowby Road, Grantham Lincolnshire. died 12 November 1918 in Russia. Probate London 25th January to Edith Maud Mettham effects £4041-15s-1d

Edith A.M. Mettham died March 1965 at Grantham.

Remembered in The Royal Institue of British Architects Series III Vol.26:

Mettham, Captain John Arthur, B.E., Licentiate. Died on service at Archangel, on 12th November.

It was announced that since the last meeting intimation had been received that the following members had been killed in action Lieut. Bernard Richard Penderel- Brodhurst, Royal Engineers, Student ; 2nd Lieut, Thomas Jenkinson Waller, Student ; 2nd Lieut. Philip Knight, Student; Capt. John Arthur Mettham, Royal Engineers, Licentiate ; and it was Resolved that the deepest regrets of the Institute for the loss of these gallant young officers be entered on the Minutes, and that a message expressive of members’ sincerest sympathy be communicated to their nearest relatives. The decease was also announced of Mr. Alfred Gladding, Associate, elected 1893.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Doric No. 362 E.C.Lincolnshire

Initiated
Passed
Raised
4th October 1900
1st November 1900
3rd December 1900
 

Past Master, Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden
Upon initiation in 1900, he is recorded as an Architect resident at the High Street, Grantham. His war service is recorded, but dues are paid in the war years too. The annotation is that he was "Killed on Active Service 12.11.18."

Source :

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Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2020-04-21 16:39:16