No. 2801, 4nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment, who died on 3rd April 1915 aged 20.

Buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

John was born in Hasketon, 1895, son of George and Eliza Williams and lived in Kennel Cottage, Hasketon. Before the war he worked as a Cowman on a farm. 

He died from a bullet wound sustained whilst carrying rations up to the trenches near Vieille Chapelle. John was initially buried in a military cemetary nearby, but after war, along with many other soldiers, he was re-interred in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, about 13 miles away near Souchez.

Personal details

John’s parents were George Williams [B. Bredfield, 1870] occupation “Horseman on Farm” and Eliza Williams nee Markham [B. Hasketon 1871].  John was born in Hasketon in 1895, the 2nd of 8 children, the others being Harriet [B. Hasketon, 1894], Emma [B. Ufford, 1899] and George [B. Hasketon 1900].  The 1901 Census shows the family living in Thicks Cottage, Ufford, but at some stage after 1905 they moved back to Hasketon and lived in Kennel Cottage. By 1911 the family had increased to 8 children with the addition of Wilfred [B. Ufford 1903], Sidney [B. Hasketon, 1905], Emily [B. Hasketon, 1907] and Samuel Walter [B. Hasketon, 1909].

War service.

The Army Medal Roll index cards show John arrived in France on 28th February 1915, and was thus awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.    No other military records have been found, but since the 4th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment was a territorial battalion, the early date of his arrival in France indicates he might have been a part-time member of the TA before the war.

The 4th Battalion was involved on the Battle of Neuve Chapelle which took place between March 10th -12th 1915, and then withdrew from the front line for a short period before occupying German trenches captured during the battle. His sad death three weeks later after being in France for only 34 days is described in a letter from his commanding officer.