No.13875, Private, John William RANSOME
Aged 20
no service to count for medals
8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died on Monday, 28th December 1914
|
John William Ransome was born in Hundon in 1894, (Risbridge Q3-1894 4A:684), son of Jack and Rachel RANSOM (née PRIGG). His surname is variously Ransome or Ransom. 1901 census...Aged 6, like his father his name is recorded as Jack. He was at Chapel Row, Ashley cum Silverley with his father Jack RANSOME [40] horseman on farm, his mother Rachel [44], brothers George [19] farm labourer and Thomas [16] farm labourer and sisters Kate [12] and Matilda [9]. All except 'Jack' junior were born in Cowlinge 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was in Ashley with his parents (father recorded as Jack, farm labourer), brothers George and Thomas (both farm labourers) and sisters Margaret, Kate and Matilda. All except John are recorded as born in Cowlinge. |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 1st September 1914. He gave his place of birth as Hundon, Clare and age as 21 years ( he seems to have added one year) father John Ransome of Ashley. Height 5 feet 4.25 inches (163 cm), weighing 134 lbs (61 kg) and chest 36" to 38" (91.4 to 96.5 cm), blue eyes, fair hair and Church of England Posted to 8th Battalion Suffolk Regiment 4th September, he was then sent to 38th Field Ambulance on 12th September. Posted back to 8th Battalion on 17th October 1914. He was discharged on 28th November 1914 after 89 days service under King's Regulations 1912 para 392 (iii)c . His documents show defective eyesight, his right eye being only 6/24. It begs the question as to how he has a CGWC headstone His death certificate gives the cause of death a 1) Pneumonia 2) Gangrene of the Lung, whereas his discharge note give no indication of anything like this, the cause of his discharge being recorded as defective eyesight. Perhaps the full explanation is on missing pages somewhere. His medical history page is not signed off, so perhaps he was taken ill before the discharge became fully effective. He was certainly sent home to die in Ashley. There would be no Silver War Badge as they had not even been thought about at that time and not having served overseas, there was no award of medals. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details