Military History

John is listed as being killed in action on 18 Sep 1918. The 17th Bn MGC war diary entry for that day is transcribed below.

Le Mesnil-en-Arrouaise - U.11.d.9.1 - 18/9/18: The attack as ordered took place at 5:20am. The first objective was taken by the 52nd Infantry Brigade and comprised Chapel Redoubt and Chapel Trench. 50^th Inf Bde supported by A Company then went through and took up positions in the second objective which was Racket Trench. 52^nd Inf Bde supported by B Company then passed through 50th Brigade to final objective which was Beet Trench.

Dispostion of B Coiys guns at 6.30pm were as follows: 2 Guns Chapel Alley firing  NE; 2 guns Beet Trench covering Villers Guislain and Villers Trench; 2 guns at X.8.a.60.25 firing from Poppy Post to Villers Guislain; 2 guns Chapel Alley firing NE; 2 guns Chapel Trench firing NW; 4 guns Sunken Road covering Gouzecourt Valley and Guache Wood.

Guns of A Company were disposed to cover left flank S of Gouzeaucourt situation on left flank being obscure owing to loss of touch with the 38^th Division. C & D Companies were organised as Barrage batteries. C Coy fired from Z to Z plus 143 mins from positions NE of Heubercourt in W.4.d and W.10.b moving forward after final objective had been taken to positions on Chapel Hill from which SOS barrage could be fired on western outskirts of Viller Guislain. C Coy advance HQ were established at Chapel Crossing. D Coy fired for 14 minutes to cover Infantry advance on to area W.6.d and then moved forward to X.5.c to support the attack N of R.31.

Rear Battalions HQ moved forward at 9.00am to U.11.d.9.1 and forward Battalion HQ were established at W.9.c.7.2. Locations of Coy HQ as follows:- A - W9.d.7.0; B – X.7.c.00.70. C Coy fired three times in response to the SOS signal, 90,000 rounds fired.

Casualties 2 OR Wounded and 2/Lieut R.A. Pleace admitted to hospital suffering from the effects of gas.