Sergeant John Tighe.
86262 Royal Engineers 170th Tunneling Coy.
Formerly 5320 Irish Guards.
Killed by a mad comrade 5th August 1917, aged 25.
John was born in the Sept quarter of 1892 in Burnley. The son of Michael Tighe and Maria Naughton (married June quarter 1888 in Burnley). In the 1901 census the family lived at 21 Hirst St, Burnley. Michael 40 a gas stoker was born in Rusky, Ireland, Maria 29 was born in Sligo, Ireland. Sarah 11, John 8, James 5, Patrick 3 and Daniel 1 were all born in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 census the family had grown somewhat and still lived at Hirst St. Michael 50, Maria 40, Sarah weaver 22, John 18, James 15 both miners, Patrick 13, Daniel 11, Michael 3, Joseph 2, Mary 8 and Kathleen 6. Their parents had been married 23 years had had 13 children 4 having died in infancy.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 15th August 1917: SECOND WITHIN A FORTNIGHT. SAD NEWS FOR BURNLEY FAMILY.
It was only last week that we recorded the death from wounds received in action, of Sapper James Tighe of the Royal Engineers, the first news of which was sent to the parents at 39 Lyndhurst Road Burnley, by his brother Sergeant John Tighe of the same company of the RE. It is very sad indeed to learn that Sergeant John is now killed, and even more regrettable to learn, that he was killed by one of our own men who went suddenly demented.
The Reverend M J Owens, Chaplain writes to Mr Tighe as follows under date August 7: "Dear Mr Tighe. I regret very much that I have to inform you that I buried your son John yesterday. From information received from his adjutant I find that one poor chap went off his head, caught up a rifle, and fired it off with fatal results. He is buried in the N........ cemetery, and it may console you to know that it was the largest funeral I have had for over 2 years. There were 11 officers and about 150 men present. The officers and Men tell me he was the most popular man and the best sergeant in the company. It is regrettable that after his 3 hard years, he should go like that in the end. With sincerest sympathy, M J Owens."
Sergeant John Tighe who was 25 years of age last June, joined the forces in September 1914, and went out to France after 4-months. He had been on Active Service for over two-and-a-half years, and it is very sad that his end should have been so unfortunate. There was a remarkable coincidence about the brothers John and James. They were both employed at Cheapside Colliery and connected all their lives with St Marys Roman Catholic church and school. John and listed in September 1914, and James (aged 20 at the time) in March 1914. For over 2 years the brothers had been in the same company of the Royal Engineers. At the end they were killed within a fortnight of each other, James on July 24th, and John on August 6th or 7. There are two other brothers, Patrick now in Salonika, and who had been wounded grievously in France, and Dan, who is only just 18, is in training in Scotland.
From the website http://roadstothegreatwar-ww1.blogspot.co.uk/ 2015/02/remembering-veteran-hughie-dodd-aif.html
It is an extract from the diary of an Australian who was in the 170th Tunnellers (the same Company as the Tighes) .
5 August 1917
This evening about twenty past nine, someone fired a shot across the square and Jack Tighe went across to see who it was. It panned out to be a regular Roughie called Jock Hall. He pulled a revolver out and put it to Tighe's breast and shot him. This Hall has told the OC to take him out and shoot him, as he didn't care what happened. I don't think he will shoot any more men as he will be well looked after now. What I can't make out of it, he wanted to get a Sergeant no matter who it was.
September 5
This chap’s got seven years by Court Martial.
Lived at 39 Lyndhurst Road.
John left his effects to his father Michael.
John was buried in Noeux les Mines Communal Cemetery & Extension, France: Grave Ref; II.G.27. Son of Michael and Maria Tighe, of 39, Lyndhurst Rd., Burnley. His brother James Tighe also fell.
