John Wragg (1892–1974)

Driver

Royal Field Artillery 81282 D/6th Reserve Battalion

Photo courtesy Janet Street

John Wragg in WW1

Biography
Born in 1892, John worked in the limestone quarry, as did his father. He enlisted at Ripley in September 1914 (at the same time as his brother Samuel) aged twenty-two, living at Folds Yard in Crich. Both brothers were in the Royal Field Artillery. He entered France in December 1914 and in May 1917 he was posted to Salonika. He was demobbed in March 1919, described as being sober, reliable and intelligent. He married Eliza A Spencer in 1919 June qtr (Belper reg district)

He enlisted the same day as his brother Samuel, both serving with the RFA and having consecutive service numbers.

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 14-15 Star Medals
Entered France 22/12/14

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Courier, 12 October 1918
In an interesting letter to our Crich correspondent, Driver John Wragg, RFA, of the Town End, states that he is in hospital at Salonika, suffering from dysentery. "I have been here for two months, but I'm now getting better," he says. "I mustn't grumble, for I have had a longer run. I hope all the boys from Crich are going strong. Last time I saw my brother, Sam, he was all right."

Army Service Record
He enlisted 17/09/14 at Ripley aged 22 years 4 months, an unmarried quarryman living at Town End Crich. His height was 5ft 5¼in, weight 124lb. He had brown eyes and fair hair and the next of kin was his mother Eliza of Bullhead Yard, Crich. His address for pay was Folds Yard, Town End, Crich. He was born 1892 and recorded as being sober, reliable and intelligent.
19/09/14 Posted 1 Battery
25/10/14 Posted 2 Battery
22/05/17 Salonika 3rd Echilon
16/07/17 Reported to O.C. 4th Res Bn KOYLI
28 /03/19 Demobbed

John Wragg's brother Samuel Wragg is also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Townend, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Wragg Head 31 Limestone quarryman (deaf through illness) Crich
Eliza Wragg wife 30   Crich
William Wragg son 10   Crich
John Wragg son 8   Crich
Samuel Wragg son 5   Crich
Joseph Wragg son 2   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 44 page 7

1911: Near Church, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Wragg Head 40 Limestone quarry labourer Crich
Eliza Wragg wife 39   Crich
John Wragg son 18 Limestone quarry labourer Crich
Samuel Wragg son 15 Miner coal hewer Crich
Frederick James Wragg son 9   Crich
Florence Wragg daughter 7   Crich
Warren Wragg son 2   Crich
Clifford Wragg son 7 mo   Crich
Emily Wragg daughter 10   Fritchley

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN188

1918 Crich voters
John Wragg, Town End; absent on military service.

1939 Register: 11 New Road, Crich
John Wragg b.1 May 1892; labourer public works contractor, heavy worker
Eliza A Wragg b.10 March 1895
Cyril Wragg b.24 March 1920; farm worker FWK
Florence M Holmes (Wragg) b.12 May 1924; hosiery worker
Warren Wragg b.31 July 1925; labourer brick works
John W Wragg b.11 November 1929; school
Betty Noble (Wragg) b.24 April 1932; school
Olive Ellis (Wragg) b.27 March 1936; under school age
Ronald Wragg b.26 December 1930; school
two closed records