Military History

John is listed as being killed in action on 22 Mar 1918, the 2nd day of the German Spring Offensive. We have not been able to find the Battery war diary but an extract from "32 Siege Battery R.G.A.: An Account of its Adventures in the Great War 1917-18" gives the following account for the night of 8pm, 21 March to 6pm, 22 March 1918:

"Not long after the main body had reached Lebucquiere, the Colonel rang up and gave instructions that a party should be sent back to Beaumetz to salve as many of the guns as possible. This task was entrusted to Lowe and Burge and a party of N.C.O.'s and men., Collier accompanying them at his own suggestion. Brigade had arranged for two F.W.D.'s to be at a rendezvous in Lebucquiere. The party was rather late starting, consequently it was already after midnight when they reached Beaumetz. Bennett of 17 S. B., the assistant adjutant, paid a flying visity to the B. C. Post some time during the night to see how we were getting along. It is doubtful whether anyone got much sleep, as the road was shelled intermittently by a H.V. gun, one shell landing right on a shelter inside of which were Sergt. Smith, Corpl. Baker and Gunr. Pugh all of whom were wounded. They were sent off in a motor ambulance. Pugh and Baker died later."

Further a report in the Leamington Courier) says that the Battery came under very heavy bombardment including Gas shells when John was struck in the head by shrapnel, killing him instantly.