John is listed as being killed in action on 9 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The war diary for the day shows that he was one of 9 officers and men who were killed when a shell hit their position [see also Bombardier
Frank Oliver Cope of New Milverton]. The Brigade war diary for that day is transcribed below.
15th Bde HQ at H.31.c.15.10 [Tilloy-les-Mofflaines] 9.4.17: Rain falling heavily at zero hour (5.30am). Batteries shot according to programme.
460 Battery were heavily and consistently shelled & had a number of casualties also B & Warwick [Batteries]. At 10.30am the railway bridge beside 460 Battery was blown up burying in its pull 3 howitzers. The flaring of charges piled under the bridge, which had been set on fire, gave sufficient warning for HQ & the Battery to clear, HQ moved into the tunnel a few yards away.
2/Lt Pilling of 460th Battery was Brigade F.O.O; Major Thorneycroft and a party went forward to Houlette Work in H.31.b & both got messages back to the Brigade updating on the situation.
The Brigade was ordered to move forward about 5pm. Positions were reconnoitered by Col Sherbrooke who proceeded down Battery Valley. Subsequently the Brigade was ordered to go down the Cambrai Road. Positions about H.31.B.1.1 were taken up circa 3am with orders to support attack on Brown Line at 6am.
Casualties this day: Lt. W.J. Nowell - 460 Battery; 2Lt P.B. Duckworth - Warwick RHA; 2Lt G.A. Nicholls – Warwick; Corpl Edmunds G.E; 614325 Bdr Eaton J; 614035 A/Bdr Cope F.O; 614550 Gnr Bain D; 614339 Gnr DeHeriz C.R; 614034 Gnr Coldicott F.W; Gnr Peterkin J.W. all of Warwick R.H.A killed. No 614021 Staff Sgt Winyard subsequently died of wounds.
