Military History

John is listed as being killed in action in the front lines near Pozieres on 19th July 1916. The 13th Battalion war diary entries for the period 18th to 20th July are transcribed below.

Near Pozieres - 18 Jul 1916: Weather dull

6am: Disposition 13^th D.L.I. A Coy [57d].X.11.a.3.5 to X.10.b.8.6; B Coy to X.10.b.8.6. to X.10.b.1.7; C Coy X.16.a.1.3; D Coy in posts near Chalk Pit.

2pm: Order A Coy to relieve Company of 12^th D.L.I. during the evening. Furnished guides to 68^th Infantry Brigade HQ for parties of 1^st Divi and 11^th N.F’s for digging trenches from X.10.b.9.7 and from X.11.a.2.3.

Received following reinforcements at transport field:- 2/Lt G.P. Gray from  23^rd D.L.I; 14 OR from Cheshire Regt, E Yorks & 18^th D.L.I.

Casualties:- 2/Lt E. Thompson wounded; 5 OR killed, 24 wounded, 1 wounded at duty, 2 wounded shell shock.

Near Pozieres - 19 Jul 1916: Weather fine

4.15am: Ordered C Co to occupy new trench from point X.11.A.2.3.

6am: Disposition of Battn now as follows: Continuous line from approximately [Map 57d] X.10.b.0.5 – X.10.b.9.7 – X.11.a.2.5 – X.11.a.4.6 also X.11.c.6.3 and X.10.c.8.4. One Coy X.9.d.9.0 to X.9.d.7.6. with posts at X.10.a.7.1, X.10.c.6.3 and X.10.c.8.4. Not touch with Division on right. 

Casualties:- Killed O.R. 1 killed; 10 wounded.

Near Pozieres - 20 Jul 1916: Weather fine. Heavy enemy artillery fire all night on Battn HQ crossroads at X.16.a.1.2 & Sausage Valley, enemy using large amount of gas shells.

3am: Battalion relieved by 1^st & 3^rd Anzac Bde and marched to Bivouacs at Albert, HQ arriving Albert 6.30am.

1.15pm: Battalion marched to billets in Franvillers arriving 4.55pm

Casualties O.R. 3 wounded.