From the Southport Visiter dated 24th April 1917

From the Southport Visiter dated 24th April 1917

known 24th April 1917

Captain Dr John James Weaver, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer for Health for the Borough of Southport, died tragically through being thrown from a horse. He had been with the Army since April 1915, and had been for a month or two, stationed at the Curragh. The Town Clerk of Southport received a letter from the Curragh, intimating that while Captain Weaver was in the riding school, his horse stumbled and he was thrown, with the result that either his neck or spine was broken, and he died instantaneously. The body was brought to Southport for burial from Ireland. Dr J J Weaver was born at Llandrinio, Montgomeryshire, and came of the ancient family of Weavers of Aymestrey and Hereford, a family which could be traced back about seven hundred years. Members of the family occupied honourable positions in the county of Hereford for generations, and in the seventeenth century, two of its representatives sat in parliament for Hereford, their tombstones may still be seen in Hereford Cathedral. Dr Weaver's great grandfather, who lived in the city of Hereford, was a member of the medical profession as was also his father. The latter was at first in practice at Longton, North Staffordshire, but subsequently came to Southport to continue his professional work, residing at first in Hoghton Street in the house later occupied by Dr Arthur Wood J.P., and subsequently at 67 Albert Rd. Following in the footsteps of his father and great grandfather, Dr Weaver was educated at University College for the medical profession. Later, when qualified, he was appointed house surgeon at Oldham Infirmary. He subsequently resigned this position to accompany Mr Sam Platt of Oldham, on a three month trip to the Mediterranean. During this voyage he rendered important service in connection with a shipwreck. The P & O Steamer Tasmania, bringing over visitors for Queen Victoria's Jubilee, was wrecked of the coast of Corsica, and Dr Weaver went to the assistance of the shipwrecked crew and passengers, and took the in Mr Platt's private yacht, to Ajaccio. His medical knowledge and school on this occasion, proved of great assistance. The crew had suffered terribly from twenty four hours exposure to wind and sea, and numbers of them had succumbed before aid could arrive. In the same year - December 13th 1887 -Dr Weaver was appointed house surgeon to the Southport Infirmary, then in the Virginia Street locality. After two years arduous work as house surgeon of the Infirmary he resigned his position, and commenced to labour in the town as a private practitioner. In November 1896, Dr Weaver entered municipal life, and was returned at the town elections, for the old West Ward, where he headed the poll in a list of five candidates. He again fought a contest in November 1899 for South Ward following a re-arrangement of wards, standing as a Liberal, and was returned by a very large majority. In the council he proved a forceful and able asset, and one of the subjects he took up with zeal was the provision of workmen's dwellings. His municipal work lasted until March 1900, when following the death of Dr Vernon, Medical Officer of Health for the borough, he resigned his seat to become a candidate for the office, and was appointed on March 5th 1900. Dr Weaver was also prominently identified with the gas estate.. He was also for a time Chairman of the Health Committee, and always devoted his best interests in Southport as a health resort. His father, the late Dr John Weaver, was no mean authority on the treatment of Tuberculosis, and so also the son took a very deep interest, and secured the Tuberculosis Exhibition for Southport, and also numerous lectures on the subject. During his Medical Officership, Dr Weaver took a great interest in the Isolation Hospital. On the formation of the Territorials he joined the West Lancashire T.A.S.C.holding a commissioned rank as a surgeon, but however, he had completed his length of service before war broke out. During the training of the troops in Southport under Brigadier-General Beckett, he worked with the officers of the East Lancashire Division. In April 1915 he accepted a commission in the East Lancashire R.A.M.C. After their removal from Southport, he served with them in various parts of the South of England, before being appointed Chief Sanitary Officer at the Curragh, where he unfortunately met his untimely end. His duties there necessitated his travelling on horseback in the countryside. Dr Weaver married Annie Pennington Clinning, eldest daughter of the late Mr T O Clinning J.P., of Birkdale, and there was one daughter surviving.

Created by: , John6705

  • Born 1861

    Died 1917

    British Army Captain Royal Army Medical Corps