John Joseph Clynes Jr.

Sergeant, U.S. Army

14th Company, 153rd Depot Brigade

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: June 24, 1919
Buried at: Camden, New Jersey

Introduction

Sergeant John Joseph Clynes was born on April 1, 1894 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of John and Mary Clynes, both of whom had been born in Ireland. The family had moved to New Jersey by February of 1900, when brother James was born. Three other children had been born in Philadelphia, sisters Mary and Katie, and brother Thomas. The Clynes family then was renting an apartment at 1565 Federal Street in East Camden.

When the 1910 Census was taken, the Clynes family had bought a home at 60 North 32nd Street in East Camden. John Clynes Jr., then 16, had gone to work in a printing office. He was still working as a pressman in June of 1917, when he registered for the draft. At that time he was an employee of the Victor Talking Machine Company factory. His father was by then a foreman at one of the leather factories in Camden.

Inducted at Camden, New Jersey on May 25, 1918, John Joseph Clynes was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey and assigned to the 14th Company, 153rd Depot Brigade as a private, serving there until November 29, 1918. He was then transferred to Company 6, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade until January 13, 1919, and finally back to Company 14, 153rd Depot Brigade, where he remained until his death. He was subsequently promoted to corporal and then to sergeant. While stationed at Camp Dix, Sergeant Clynes contracted tuberculosis. He was sent to Base Hospital No. 8 at Otisville, New York, where he passed away on June 24, 1919. He was 25 at the time of his death.

John Joseph Clynes was survived by his parents, brothers Thomas and James, and sisters Catherine and Margaret. The family still resided on North 32nd Street into the 1920s, but had moved by April of 1930. His brother James stayed in the area. Last a resident of Cherry Hill, he died in November of 1969.