Page 71 - WW1 - 1915

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 21 August
1915

Redditch Sergeant Killed by a Shell – A letter has been received by Mrs Locke of 3
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Victoria Street, Redditch, stating that her husband, Sergeant J. E. Locke, of the 9
Worcester’s, was killed early in the month in the Dardanelles. Deceased joined the army
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about the 15 of August last and quickly gained promotion. He left England with his
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battalion in June, and arrived at the Dardanelles on July 18 . The deceased soldier was in
the act of drawing water for the men of his company when a shell burst, striking him down.
He died almost immediately without regaining consciousness. Mrs Locke has received letters
from Captain G. N. Rolph and Sergeant Smithe, and in each the deceased is most highly
spoken of. He was greatly liked by all the men in his company for his brightness, geniality,
and good temper, apart from his ever unselfish character. Sergeant Smithe says: “Full
expression of our feelings is difficult, if not beyond us. We write this letter (meaning the
sergeant’s) not as a duty, but as a united result of our deep regard.”

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(On Ancestry site, Military records, Sergeant, John Charles Locke Service No 14098, of the 9
Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, born in Birmingham, resided in Redditch and enlisted in
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Worcester, died 5 August 1915 of wounds at Gallipoli. Buried Beach Cemetery, Anzac,
Turkey, aged 28, son of Charles and Mary Ann Locke of Redditch. Husband of Annie
Gertrude Locke of 3 Victoria Street, Redditch.)
Remembered on St Stephen’s war memorial, Redditch.
(On 1911 census John Charles Locke aged 14, Farm Servant, lived with his parents Charles and Mary Ann Locke
in Alvechurch.)

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