Category: Military
Rank: Private and Gunner
Regiment or Ship: Royal Field Artillery
Service Number(s): 150838
Occupation: House Decorator
Date of Birth: 1895
Place of Birth: Hastings, Sussex
Date of Death: 24.05.1966
Place of Death: St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
Address: 11 Eversley Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: John Thomas and Mary Fowler (nee Guy).
Spouses: On 3rd April 1916 John married Alice Mabel Kidmore (1889-1965). They had the five children listed below. About 1935 John and Mabel’s marriage broke up and John married Jessie. It would appear that Mabel may have been ill as she went into an institution.
Children John Gordon (1917-2007), Kathleen Mabel (1920-1981), Dennis (1922-1922), Freda (1924-2001), and Roy (1929-1981).
On his death John left an estate of £4855 to his widow, Jessie.
First World War Experience
John enlisted on 23rd February 1916 when he was 21½ years of age. He was 5’ 8¾” tall, weighed 116lbs and had a chest measurement of 34”. His vision was below standard being less than 6/60 without glasses. On 21st August 1916 he was discharged with the statement “Not likely to become an efficient soldier. Medical reasons.”