DEVEREUX, John William


No.8333, Private, John William DEVEREUX
Aged 21


1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 2nd March 1916


John William Devereux was born in Fornham St.Martin on 17th May 1894(Thingoe Q2-1894 4A:737) baptised in Fornham St Martin on 8th July 1894, son of John and Caroline DEVEREUX (née RANSON).

1901 census...Aged 6, he was "back of the Rectory, Fornham St.Martin with his father John DEVEREUX {48] farm labourer; his mother Caroline [44] born Pakenham and brother Henry E [11 months]. All except his mother were born in Fornham St.Martin. In 1891 there was a half- sister Edith RANSON [10] born Gt Barton and sister Lucy DEVEREUX [8] born Fornham St.Martin.

1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was at Rectory Cottages, Fornham St.Martin with his parents and cousin George Patrick RANSON [9] born Fornham St.Martin Caroline bore 5 children but 2 had died, one being a brother Joseph Reuben DEVEREUX (1897-1898)



He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The war diary has "D" Company in trenches at Dranoutre with Queen Victoria's Rifles (9th London Regt), 3 platoons of "C" Coy on digging fatigues.

CWGC has John as the battalion's sole death on 4th March.

The Bury Free Press reported on 3rd April 1915:
FORNHAM MAN KILLED IN ACTION
It is with deep regret that the parishioners of Fornham St.Marin learned on Monday week that Private John Wm.Devereux, B Company, 1st Suffolk Regiment had been killed in action on Thursday, March 4th. The deceased, who was much respected, was in his 21st year and had served with his Regiment in Egypt previous to the outbreak of war. When ordered home for active service, he spent a few days in his native village, before proceeding to the front. The sad news was conveyed to his parents by a comrade who was with him when he fell. Much sympathy is felt for his parents in their sad bereavement.



John Devereux is buried in Wulverghem-Lindhoek Road Military Cemetery, grave 1:B:12

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


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