South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery Ext |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 15 Jun 1915 in France | ~ | Snitterfield |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of the Somme | 15 Sep 1914 at Lincoln | Wick St. Mary's, Hereford |
| King Edwards School, Edgbaston | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| SW of Serre | 21st (4th Public School) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | |
Military Service History
15 Sep 1914 - Enlisted as Private in Royal Fusiliers
17 Mar 1915 - Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in Royal Fusiliers (Gazette)
17 Jul 1916 - Became Flying Officer (Observer) in Royal Flying Corps (Gazette)
Circumstances of Death
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John is listed as being killed in action on 26th October 1916 while flying with his pilot, Lieutenant JS Smith, who was wounded in the incident. They were on an artillery observation mission from Marieux aerodrome when they were engaged by two enemy aircraft over Puisieux and were shot down. The wreckage was then destroyed by shellfire. One of the attacking aircraft was piloted by Oswald Boelcke of Jasta 2 (his 40th and final victory before his death two days later), whose account reported that: “I attacked and wounded the observer [Jervis] so he was unable to fire at me…[the machine] fell into the second line English trenches and burned up.” An account from the diary of James Kerr records that: “[Jervis] was shot dead in the air…had to be left in as he was wedged in the plane…a jolly decent chap was Jervis.” His body was recovered from the wrecked machine on 30th October, and was buried at Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery. |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 11 Feb 1890 at Rotherhithe | 15 Feb 1890 at Rotherhithe All Saints |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Rev John Jervis, M.A. and Wilehlmina Agnes Jervis | Snitterfield Vicarage |
| Schools | Colleges |
| King Edward’s School, Edbaston - 1903 | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1890 - All Saints Vicarage, Rotherhithe | 1903 - Scholar |
| 1891 - The Vicarage, Lower Rd, Rotherhithe | 1911 - Student |
| 1901 - Hazelwood, Kings Norton | |
| 1911 - The Vicarage, Wick, Pershore | |
- Brother of Arthur Cyril Jervis
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King Edwards School Biography At School, John was a prolific athlete. In gymnastics, he won the School Championship in 1909, coming second in the long jump the same year. In the 120 yards hurdles, he came third with a time of 18.6 seconds, and came second in the throwing of the cricket ball. John lost the putting of the weight by one inch, having lost by a tie to the same boy, EA Fiddian, in 1908. He was also a talented runner, a full back for the 1st XV with full rugby colours and a holder of full cricket colours, described as: “a rather unorthodox bat with a good eye…stronger in attack than defence…as a wicket keeper he has been of great value to the side with his smart stumping”. Academically, John was a member of the Second Class along with RQ Gilson, the Headmaster’s son. John was preparing for Holy Orders at the Scholæ Cancellarii in Lincoln when war broke out. |
