South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 36636 John Harold MITCHELL - 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment


Died on Monday 8th July 1918 aged 22


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Ext
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 May 1916 ~ Bickenhill, St. Peters
    Marston Green, St. Leonards
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Marston Green, Garden of Memory
Died of Tuberculosis as a Prisoner of War March 1916 at Birmingham  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials  
Peruwelz POW Camp, Belgium Pte 17760 Royal Warwickshire Regt Madeley near Telford
     

Circumstances of Death

John died of pulmonary tuberculosis whilst a prisoner of war at the German Prisoner of War Camp in Peruwelz, Belgium. He was originally buried at Bonsecours Communal Cemetery, Belgium before his remains were moved to Tournai in 1928. Red Cross records reveal that he was captured on 23 March 1918 at Hamlincourt. [+ Record 1] [+ Record 2] [+ Record 3].

The 8th Battalion war diary entry for the 23rd March 1918 is transcribed below.

23/3/1918: About 7.30am left flank withdrew quickly leaving the Battalion in the air. The Battalion was therefore forced to do the same and fought a rearguard action. Meantime collapse of the left allowed the enemy to get into Velu Wood. The enemy was through Velu Wood very quickly and the Brigade was safe [saved] from capture by a company of Gloucesters & Worcesters in rear of Velu Wood where they were able to stop the enemy on the edge and undoubtedly saved a Battery of 18 pounders (2 Division) which was in action in the open firing with open sights on the enemy advancing over the ridge on the right.

After the guns had retired the 8th Gloucesters withdrew to Bancourt. All wounded except walking cases were captured.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1896 in Posenhall, Salop  
   
Parents Names Abode
John Henry and Elllen Mitchell The Lodge, Isolation Hospital, Marston Green                         
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1896 - Posenhall 1901 - School age
1901 - Court Street, Madeley, Salop              1911 - Unemployed
1911 - 15 Court St Madeley 1915 - Shop Assistant
1914 - 132 Medlicott Road, Sparkhill