John Esdale was born about 1869. He married on 4th December 1896 in the Magherafelt area. John and Sarah’s only child, James M Esdale, was born on 7th August 1898 in the Magherafelt area. By 1901 they were living in Bristol Street in Belfast. On the night of 7th-8th April 1941, John was in the vicinity of the Harland & Wolff Shipyard when the Luftwaffe attacked Belfast and he was killed in the attack. He had worked for Harland & Wolff for many years.
Further Information
John Esdale was born about 1869. He was the son of James Esdale and Margaret Esdale of Stranngard, Desertmartin, Co. Londonderry.
John Esdale and Sarah Meeke were married on 4th December 1896 in the Magherafelt area.
John and Sarah’s only child, James M Esdale, was born on 7th August 1898 in the Magherafelt area.
The 1901 census lists John as age 32, living with his family at house 24 in Bristol Street, Belfast. John was a labourer in the shipyard.
The 1911 census lists John as age 42, living with his family at house 18 in Bristol Street, Belfast. John was a fireman in the shipyard.
On the night of 7th-8th April 1941, the Luftwaffe attacked Belfast in what would become known as the Docks Raid of the Belfast Blitz.
John Esdale was in the vicinity of the Harland and Wolff Shipyard and was killed in the attack on 8th July.
It is not known if he was working there at the time or killed at home in Bristol Street.
It is thought that John Esdale was buried in a Belfast cemetery, although there is currently no confirmation of this.
The CWGC record John Esdale as being from 41 Bristol Street, Belfast. He is listed as the son of James and Margaret Esdale, of Stranngard, Desertmartin, Co. Derry. He is also recorded as being the husband of Sarah Esdale.finally, it records that he died at Harland and Wolff Ltd., Queen's Road.
