Conwy grave John David Polin

conwy_grave_john_polinconwy_john_david_polinJohn David Polin (d.1917)

John’s poignant grave inscription reads: “Passed unscathed through shot and shell and unafraid – and yet he died.”

He was a fisherman, born in Conwy. He lived with his parents, John and Jane, at 19 Lower Gate Street, beside the medieval postern gate (near Britain’s Smallest House). He is pictured on the right as a Sea Cadet. He enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in October 1914. His battalion went into the trenches for the first time on 11 December 1915 at Laventie, France.

In May 1916, John was on leave when his mother (pictured below) died of pulmonary tuberculosis in her early 40s. Two months later, he was diagnosed with the same affliction, which he probably caught from his mother. It’s thought that he had also suffered from gas poisoning at the Western Front. He was admitted to Bangor Military Hospital (the former workhouse infirmary on Caernarvon Road) and advised to rest and “take in fresh air and tonics”.

conwy_edward_polinHe was given an honourable discharge from military service in July 1916, just as his battalion was going “over the top” at the Battle of the Somme. His brother, Lance Corporal Edward Arthur Polin, was killed, aged 21, in the battle at Delville Wood and is commemorated on the family headstone. Edward is pictured below right.

conwy_jane_polinJohn died of pulmonary tuberculosis in February 1917 and was buried here with full military honours. He was 21 years old.

With thanks to Adrian Hughes and Nora Williams

Return to St Agnes Cemetery page