Private
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) | 23318 | 9th Battalion |
Photo courtesy of a relative
Biography
Born in 1896, John entered the war as an early volunteer, entering the Balkans in December 1915. He died of his wounds in October 1917, aged twenty-one. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
[ ]
John Thomas Roe, recorded as born and lived at Crich in Army Records, enlisted at Buxton and was a Private No. 23318 in the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He died 5 October 1917 (France and Flanders) of wounds received. He first saw action in the Balkans and was awarded the 1915 Star and British and Victory Medals so he obviously joined up near the start of the War. He has a 5-digit Regimental number which may also indicate early entry into the War as by 1917 most numbers had been changed to 6 digits.
John enlisted in February 1915. He died of wounds at the casualty clearing station and buried in Dozinghem Cemetery, Westvleteren. "Hem" was the Flemish word for village and (typical of soldiers' humour) the three cemeteries set up for third Ypres were Dozinghem, Mendinghem and Bandagehem. He would have been wounded on 4th October when his battalion attacked Poelcapelle.
Regarding the first newpaper article below – in late November on Gallipoli, there was a great storm and many men died or contracted dysentery.
Regarding the second newspaper obituary, he was obviously in Belgium and not France.
[ ]
Newspaper reports
Derbyshire Courier, 7 December 1915
CRICH MAN ILL IN HOSPITAL
An official intimation from the Lichfield record office has been received this week by Mr and Mrs John Roe of Sun Lane, Crich, that their son Private John William Roe, of the 9th Sherwood Foresters, is in hospital suffering from dysentery. This news has been supplemented by a letter from Private Roe, who, writing home says that he was suddenly taken ill, and the next thing he realised was that he was in hospital. He refers to the kind treatment he is receiving, and hopes to be well again shortly. Private Roe is at the 1st Canadian St West Mudros Hospital. He went to the Dardanelles with a section of the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
[ .]
Belper News, 19 October 1917
Mr John Roe, Sun Lane, Crich, received a letter from a nurse in hospital in France, informing him that his son, Pte John Roe, Sherwood Foresters, had been mortally wounded. Pte Roe was about 19 or 20 years of age.
Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
Entered the Balkans 31/12/15. Died 05/10/17
Cemetery, medal and certificate photographs
Photos courtesy of a relative
Photo courtesy Steve Morse
Name | ROE JOHN |
Initials | J T |
Nationality | United Kingdom |
Rank | Private |
Regiment/Service | Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) |
Unit | 9th Bn. |
Age | 21 |
Date of Death | 05/10/17 |
Service No | 23318 |
Additional Information | Son of John and Martha A. Roe, of Chapel Row, Market Place, Crich, Matlock |
Casualty type | Commonwealth War Dead |
Grave/Memorial Reference | VII. G. 1. |
Cemetery | DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY |
Soldiers' Effects Book
John Thomas Roe; 9th Bn Notts & Derby; Private 23318; died of wounds France 5.10.17; war Gratuity £12; paid out to"
16.5.18 mother Martha A £8 4s 1d
26.11.19 mother Martha A £12 0s 0d
John Roe's brother William Roe is also on the Roll of Honour.
1901 Crich
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John | Roe | Head | 31 | Quarryman | Crich |
Martha | Roe | wife | 29 | Holloway | |
William | Roe | son | 8 | Crich | |
John T | Roe | son | 5 | Crich |
1911: Sun Lane, Crich
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Martha | Roe | Head (married) | 38 | Holloway | |
Wm. | Roe | son | 17 | Limestone quarryman | Crich |
John T | Roe | son | 14 | Door machinist | Crich |
Mary E | Roe | daughter | 4 | Crich |