Born in Manchester c.1837.
Died in 1914 in Summerseat, Ramsbottom, Bury, aged c.76 years.
John Ainsworth died on the 22nd of March 1914 and was buried in Ramsbottom Cemetery on the 25th of March.
(There is a photograph of him in the 11th Hussar file.)
Extract from the Ramsbottom Observer, 27th of March 1914:
"Death of a Crimean Veteran — The interment took place at Ramsbottom Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon of Mr. John Ainsworth, of No. 5 Plantation View, Summerseat, who passed away on Sunday last at the age of 76 years. The deceased was at one time attached to the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) and saw active service, having taken part in the Crimean War. He enlisted when he was 19 years of age and was immediately sent to Sebastopol, where he remained almost two years. He was awarded a Turkish and English Crimean medal, the latter bearing the inscription, "Sebastopol".
On his return to England he was stationed for some time in London as a guard of honour to the late Queen Victoria, subsequently rising to the rank of Corporal. After 12 years service he was granted a pension on account of the hardships undergone in the Crimea. Since then he has been engaged in the cotton industry and then, after coming to Summerseat some 13 years ago, and prior to his retirement at the age of 70, was employed as a weaver and overlooker at Messrs Hoyle's, Brooksbottom Mill.
Although a native of Ancoats, Manchester, he took a deep interest in local affairs, and was President of the local Ratepayers Association. His hobby was gardening, and he was said to have had one of the prettiest gardens in the district. He was also a staunch Liberal and a church-goer. He leaves a son and four daughters to mourn his loss.
The funeral, which was of a military character, was attended by a firing party from the Bury Depot of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who walked in front of the hearse from the late residence of the deceased to the Cemetery. On arrival at the cemetery they stood with arms reversed as the cortege passed through the gates. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack, and four corporals acted as bearers. The obsequies were conducted by the Revd. G.L. Marchant, Rector of Holcombe, and as the coffin was being lowered into the grave three volleys were fired and the 'Last Post' was sounded."
[A list of family mourners and wreath-senders follows.]
According to a great-great-grand-daughter, who corresponded with EJB, no stone was erected and the grave is unmarked except for a number.
Additional information about Ramsbottom Cemetery, with photographs, at genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Ramsbottom/CemeteryRdCemetery