Military History |
Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
---|---|---|
France & Flanders | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Harlebeek New British Cemetery |
Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
4 Oct 1914 in Zeebruge, Belgium | ~ | Copt Heath Golf Club |
Knowle War Memorial | ||
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
First Battle of Ypres | Commissioned 9 March 1910 (Gazette) | |
Other War Memorials | ||
Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | St Alphege Church, Solihull |
Becclare, Belgium | Sgt Cadet at Uppingham School OTC | Solihull War Memorial |
Service Information
- May 1912 - Posted to 2nd Battalion as 2nd Lt from Special Reserve
- Aug 1913 - Promoted to Lieutenant
Circumstances of Death
John (known as Jack) is listed as being killed in action on 19 Oct 1914. The brief 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 18th to 20th Oct 1914 are transcribed below. Zonnebeek 18th Oct 1914: Moved at 5am to wood in Veldhoek and at 5pm marched to Becclare where Battalion billetted for the night. Becclare, 19th Oct 1914: Marched off at 5am towards Menin . Attacked enemy at Dadizeele. Went through last named but had to retire owing to German Division coming up from direction of Rouvers. Retired to Zonnebeke. Zonnebeke 20th Oct 1914: Prepared for battle in Zonnebeke District by entrenching. |
Personal & Family History |
Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
---|---|
27 Sep 1891 in Edgbaston | 28 Nov 1891 at St. George's, Edgbaston |
Parents Names | Abode |
John Francis and Caroline Esther E Ratcliff | Widney Cottage, Bentley Heath, Knowle |
Schools | Colleges |
Uppingham School 1905-1909 | ~ |
Address History | Employment History |
1891 - The Cottage, Vicarage Road, Edgbaston | 1901 - Scholar |
1901 - Hill Croft, The Lickey, Bromsgrove | 1905 - Scholar at Uppingham School |
1905 - Fircroft House, Uppingham | 1910 - Army Officer in Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
1911 - Widney Cottage, Bentley Heath, Knowle | |
1914 - Widney Cottage, Bentley Heath, Knowle |