Military History

John is listed as dying of wounds at No 3 Field Ambulance near Souchez on 28th March 1918. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 26th to 28th are transcribed below and indicate that John was wounded on the 27th in the front lines N of Ayette.

N of Ayette - 26 March 1918: the Germans showed considerable artillery activity in the afternoon; the villages of Hamelincourt and Moyenville being severely shelled, as well as the Valley of the Cojeul and Boisleux and Boiry Roads. The line dug and occupied that night left the 4thSystem at the junction of No.2 and 3 Coy’s positions, and turned S.W. from there at an angle of 90 degrees. The new part was occupied by Nos. 4 and 3 Coys. Nos. 1 and 2 going into trenches vacated by Nos. 3 and 4. The 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards dug in, in support. Battalion H.Q. were established in the Hindenburg Line where the Hamelincourt-Boiry track crosses it. A good deal of shelling took place this evening. H.Q. were followed all the way back by shells that rested on the Hindenburg line, as soon as they had got in.

N of Ayette - 27 March 1918: A considerably better day. Our outposts were shelled during the night, especially on the extreme left. One man was killed and three wounded. The details in St. Amand shifted their billets and settled down to steady drill and Lewis Gun training.

N of Ayette - 28 March 1918: An exceptionally quiet morning, due perhaps to a ground mist. No 2 Coy's patrol sent out 2.30am had nothing to report. The details in St. Amand shifted their billets; drilled and were defeated by No 48 Field Ambulance at soccer (0-6) and A team defeated B Battery R.F.A .

Divisional Patrols were sent out and No 4 Coy found two hostile posts, about 500 yards in front of No 1 Post, occupied by the enemy who fired on them, no casualties.