Page 80 - Battle of Paschendaele

Richard J. Thurston

Ancestry site, Military records,
Private John Thurston, born and resided in Redditch, enlisted in Birmingham, Service No
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st
32048, 1 Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry), died of wounds, 6 October
1917, Western European Theatre. Formerly 36624, Devonshire Regiment.

Dozinghem Military Cemetery – source:- http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-
cemetery/cemetery/15300/DOZINGHEM%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY

Remembered on St George’s war memorial as Richard J. Thurston and a John R. Thurston is remembered on St
Stephen’s war memorial, Redditch. Seems to be the same person.

(He was registered at birth as Richard John Thurston in 1898. On the 1901 census Richard aged 4 lived with his
mother Mercy (classed as head of the house and married but no husband at home and his sibings at 9 Chapel
Street, Headless Cross. On 1911 census John Thurston aged 13, Grocer’s Errand Boy, lived with his widowed
mother Mercy Thurston and his siblings at 159 St Georges Road, Redditch.)

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Evening Despatch – Saturday 20 October 1917

Redditch and District Casualties - Private Richard John Thurston son of Mrs Thurston, 23
Oswald Street, Redditch, of the Somerset Light Infantry, died from wounds received in action
in France on 6 October. He was 19 years of age and a native of Redditch.
Acknowledgements British Library image www.britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 10
November 1917

Died of Wounds
Thurston J. (32048) Somerset L. I. from Redditch
Acknowledgements: www.bromsgrovebmsgh.co.uk - Martin Stephens who digitised the Bromsgrove, Droitwich
and Redditch Messenger

He is remembered on:- http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/154274/THURSTON,%20JACK
It states Private Jack Thurston, Service No 32048, buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Grave: V. G. 23,
Belgium. That he was the son of Mercy Thurston of 23 Oswald Street, Redditch.

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