John William Trotter

Born in Darlington in 1882, he served as a Regular soldier with the 1st Battalion DLI during the Boer War. He joined the 10th (Service) Battalion DLI on its formation in August 1914 and served as its Transport Sergeant.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions. His coolness and courage under fire, and in trying circumstances were most marked, and he has consistently done excellent work." He was badly wounded in the head during the war and had a silver plate fitted in his skull.

After 1919, he worked as a prison warder and as a miner. During the Second World War, he was an Ambulance Officer at Bishop Auckland.

John Trotter died in 1955.