Father John Francis Krajicek, the Roman Catholic priest of St. Chad’s, Witton Park was born in London of parents born in Moravia, then a region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  The area is now part of the Czech Republic.  In 1867, the Krajicek family emigrated to Britain, settling in London.  The family background was very ordinary, his father Josef worked as a cooper, his siblings were employed in trades such as printing, plumbing and clothing manufacture.  John attended St. Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw near Durham City which was the principle Roman Catholic seminary for the training of Catholic priests in the north of England, more recently known as Ushaw College.  In 1903, he was ordained to the priesthood and by 1911, was an assistant priest at Stella-on-Tyne living with the Very Reverend H.C. Wrennell.  By the beginning of the Great War, in 1914, aged 38, he was priest at St. Chad’s, Witton Park. 

Above: Father John Francis Krajicek

Father Krajicek lost 2 nephews, killed in action:

• S/817 Lance Corporal Joseph Vincent Krajicek, 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade was killed in action 30 July 1915, aged 19.  He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.  His parents, Joseph and Alice lived at 15 Brixham Road, Canning Town, London.
• B/200667 Lance Corporal Sigmund John Krajicek, 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade was killed in action 11 April 1917 aged 20.  He is buried at London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse, France.  His parents Sigmond and Elizabeth lived at 15 Priscilla Road, Bow, London.

Father Krajicek witnessed the end of the war but 1 month later he was dead.  Aged 42, he succumbed to pneumonia, 10 December 1918, as the pandemic known as “Spanish Flu” swept through Britain and Europe.  He is buried in Escomb Cemetery.   Sadly, a century later, Father Krajicek’s headstone lay neglected and broken.   

Above: 2023: Father Krajicek’s headstone

In 2024, a group of concerned individuals[1] raised funds to repair the headstone.  The work was carried out by William Allison & Sons of Bishop Auckland.  A dedication service held Thursday 24 October 2024, was officiated by Father David Coxon and Rev. Claire Gibbs and attended by 30+ residents of the area.  Chris Lloyd from the Northern Echo performed the unveiling of the repaired headstone.  Piper Kevin York accompanied by drummer David Dow played a medley of tunes.

 Above: 24 October 2024:  The repaired headstone

In a final prayer, Rev Claire Gibbs offered these words:

“As we restore his memorial and repair the dignity of his memory, may we carry in our hearts his example of service, brotherhood and love.”

---

Note

[1] Howard Chadwick, Dale Daniel, Bob Dixon, Kevin Richardson, Rev. Claire Gibbs & Father David Coxon.