Military History

John is listed as being killed in action 5 Aug 1917. The 15th Battalion war diary for 5 Aug 1917 is transcribed below.

Iron Bridge Tunnels - 4/8/17: At 4am in a heavy mist the enemy attempted to retake Hollebeke. He succeed[ed] in getting into Forret Farm tried to Hollebeke working round the village from the rear as well a round the front. On this occurring Capt. J.P. Fowler slightly withdrew his company from Hollebeke & cut of a small party who had got behind him. The left with the exception of one post of one officer and 15 men held firm. The whole of this post were taken prisoner except 1 Sergeant who returned and one man who was afterwards found seen dead.

Very little information reaching Battn HQ. Major G.D. Amery & 2^nd/Lt S Lasenby went forward to clear up the situation, on further information 2 Companies who had previously been in reserve were sent forward in support to Opal Reserve, the C.O. proceeded to Optic Trench. At that moment a message arrived from Capt. J.P. Fowler giving his dispositions.

An immediate counter-attack under cover of the mist was ordered, Major G.D. Amery having become a casualty , Capt C C Oxborrow’s Coy advanced with some men of the 12^th East Surrey Regt and eventually persisted to re-capture Hollebeke.

One Platoon from the reserve company were detailed to attack Forret Farm with the assistance of some men of the 12^th East Surrey’s. In addition a Company were ordered to do the same thing, but came up on E side. The village and Forret Farm were cleared and 17 prisoners taken.

In the meantime while the above orders were being put into effect by means of Maj R. Pennell personally delivering the orders given, the CO returned to the 12^th East Surrey Regt’s HQ and asked for a slow rate of fire for ¼ of an hour then rapid for same period followed again by a period of slow fire which was carried out and which fortunately coincided with the attack on Hollebeke.

On arrival of one platoon of the 15^th Batt Hants Regt near Forret Farm a Stafford officer was re-organising some of the E. Surrey Regt. He handed over the command to 2/Lt P E Shield & the Hants & Surrey’s retook Forret Farm taking 13 prisoner. ½ a Company of the Staffords were brought up at 2/Lt P E Shield request & stood by in support 200 yards in rear but were not required.

NOTE. From the later information it appears that in addition to the enemy divisions opposing us some 100 Sturmtruppen specially selected for their physique and intelligence took part in this attack which was carried out on a large scale but in spite of this & the fact that our men were wet through & tired out, the enemy gained no advantage whatever and had heavy casualties.

The officer taken prisoner was 2/Lt R.E. Martin, the first time he had been in the line.

DUSK: Our forward positions were reinforced by Y Company.

9.20pm: Enemy were observed massing for another attack & at 9.30pm they commenced crawling towards our line but were completely dispersed by M.G., rifle & a well timed barrage, our lines remaining intact.

NIGHT: Battn HQ move to a post on the Canal Bank at O.5.c.7.9, these HQ had previously been occupied by the 12^th E. Surreys.

Casualties: 2/Lt H.J Sheryet died of wounds, Maj G.D. Amery wounded, 2/Lt R.E. Martin missing believed P of W.
                         Other Ranks 10 killed, 10 wounded, 1 died of wounds, 7 missing believed P of W