INCE, John Colin



No 245413, Sergeant, John Colin INCE
Aged 25


20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
formerly No.240109, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Saturday, 23rd March 1918


John Colin Ince was born on 14th September 1892 in Clare (Risbridge Q4-1882 4A:647) son of Alfred George and Elizabeth INCE (née HOUSDEN?).

Admitted to Clare Council School (living at Cavendish Lane) on 1st March 1899 and left to go to work on 16th June 1905.

1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Maltings Lane,Clare with his father Alfred INCE [30] journeyman bricklayer born Battersea; his mother Elizabeth [32] born Horseheath; sisters Alice [5] and Agnes [7 months]; brother William [3]. All the children were born in Clare.

1911 census...Aged 18, a bricklayer, he was at High Street, Clare with his parents; brothers Willie Charles (errand boy) and Alfred [5]; sisters Agnes, Lily []8] and Emma Matilda [2]. The new siblings all born in Clare, all 7 siblings survive.

He married Priscilla Lucy TWITCHETT (b.4-12-1887) in 1913. Their daughter Valerie Doreen INCE was born on 15th September 1913. The pension card has them at Bridewell Street, Clare


He enlisted in Clare.
The battalion were to the rear of Vaulx-Vraucourt. The war diary has:-
" 23rd- About 8 am the enemy launched an attack against the right companies of the battalion which was successfully resisted by rifle and machine gun fire. The attack was made by ? waves and was well carried on, but it did not penetrate our wire. The attack was repeated at intervals during the day, but each attack was withheld. Casualties: Officers killed Capt Iveson, 2/Lt Kay, wounded 2/Lt Turnbull. Other ranks, killed 18, wounded 60, missing 5


CWGC records show the battalion had 22 killed that day.



John Ince is commemorated on the Arras memorial, Faubourg d'Amiens, bay 8

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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