Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
 
Served during The Great War, resting peacefully but anonymously at Sandgate Cemetery, but not forgotten.

91 years ago today, on the Thursday afternoon of the 20th March 1930, Sapper John Andrew Tiltman, 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company (Reg No-5636), butcher and labourer from Thomas Street, Wallsend, New South Wales and 29 Elder Street, Lambton, N.S.W., father of six (3 children 1st marriage), invalid pensioner, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 43. ANGLICAN 2-146. 58.

Born at Ryhope, County Durham, England about 1887 to Thomas James and Alice Tiltman nee Laverick; husband of Jane Tiltman nee Richardson (married 20.11.1909, Durham, England, died 1958, Victoria), also Matilda Jane Tiltman nee Chrystie (married 1924, Wallsend, N.S.W., died 1955), John enlisted June 1916 at Lambton, N.S.W.

John did not receive any injuries or illness during his service for King and Country, and returned home July 1919, being discharged on the 28th August 1919.

Mr Tiltman’s name has been inscribed on the Wallsend Soldiers' Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 24th May 1919, 371 names now inscribed, 75 Fallen), Wallsend Municipal & District Roll of Honor and the Sulphide Corporation Pty Ltd Cockle Creek Works Roll of Honour.

Great Granddaughter Fliss (Felicity) Patrick LaRosa contacted me with family history and photos, and finding Mr Tiltman resting in an unmarked grave, I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite January 2019, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.

I submitted an application to DVA asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip January 2019, but unfortunately this was declined February 2019.

Mr Tiltman’s honour and dignity will be restored with a Plaque courtesy of the Forgotten Diggers Headstone Project.

Lest We Forget.

It was said that he had suffered from severe 'shell shock' - Discharged from Service at Cessation of Hostilities on 28 Aug 1919

British War Medal and Victory Medal Awarded

"Mr. J. A. TILTMAN.

Mr. John A. Tiltman, a resident of Lambton for 16 years, died at his residence, Elder street, on Tuesday. He  was  in  his  43rd year, and was born in the  County of Durham, England. He followed the occupation of a labourer, and for a  number of years resided at Wallsend,   where he took an active part in sporting  events. He enlisted as a sapper in the  Second Tunnellng Company, and had  three years active service. His health  failed him soon after his discharge, and  as the result of an accident which happened about three years ago, he went  totally blind. His funeral, which  was  largely  attended, took place on Thursday  afternoon, the interment being in the  Church  of England portion of the  Sandgate Cemetery. The Rev. O. Van was the officiating clergyman, and the pallbearers were Messrs. A. Baker, E. Middlemas, C. Walls, J. Hope, and Jo. Rountree. Wreaths were received from wife and children, Lizzie, Gladys, and Thelma, Mr. and Mrs. J. Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. H. Richards, Lay Methodist Sunday School, Mr. and Mrs. Middlemas, Mr. and  Mrs. Wells,  Mr. and Mrs.  Jenness and family, Mr. and  Mrs. May and family.  Besides the widow, he is survived by a family of seven children." - from the Newcastle Morning Herald 22 Mar 1930 (nla.gov.au)