CAPON, Jack aka James Thomas MEADOWS


No.12722, Private, Jack CAPON
Aged 40 (CWGC has 34)


1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of his Wounds on Thursday, 29th April 1915


Born James Thomas MEADOWS in Hacheston, (2nd qtr 1875 Plomesgate 4a:715) believed to be son of Sarah MEADOWS who married John CAPON in 1881, he died in 1888 and she married Henry MOORE in 1899. There is a very great confusion over dates, ages and mixing up of surnames and so the civilian identity here certainly requires input from relatives.



1881 census...Aged 6 he was at Turnpike Road, Marlesford with his grandparents Thomas and Emil MEADOWS and his uncle John. It seems to be his his mother Sarah MEADOWS [24] in Marlesford, a cook for Mrs Betsy WELTON.

Sarah MEADOWS married John CAPON in qtr 4 1881 (Plomesgate 4a:1579) and to add to the confusion, a James Stephen CAPON was born in 2nd qtr 1880 Plomesgate 4a:792, mother's maiden name MEADOWS but he seems to have died aged 1. ?. John CAPON was a visiting gamekeeper in Marlesford at that census, but apparently died before the next census.

1891 census...Aged 16 a labourer, he was at Long Row, Hacheston with his mother Sarah CAPON [34] widow, born Marlesford, half sister Jane CAPON [7] born Letheringham, half brothers Newson CAPON[5] born Hacheston and Frederick CAPON [3] born Hacheston

His mother married Henry MOORE in 1899

1901 census...He has not been identified in this census, just possibly a railway stoker boarding at Widdin Street West Ham with the STRUTT family. At Park Farm Cottage, Campsea Ash were his stepfather Henry MOORE,[36] farm bailiff; his mother Sarah MOORE [43]; step-brother Charles MOORE [14] blacksmith's apprentice born Marlesford, half brother Frederick CAPON [14] farm labourer born Hoo, stepbrother Frederick MOORE [12] born Clavering, step-sister Nellie MOORE [9] born Charsfield (nr Wickham market), half-brother Roderick CAPON [7] born Hacheston and stepbrother Bertie MOORE[7] born Hoo.

1911 census...He has not been identified in this census but likely to be the the man above who married Maud STRUTT in 1901 and had a son. That however begs the question of where and when James MEADOWS became Jack CAPON and why there is no pension claim from the widow. At Watson's Farm, Bowbeck, Bardwell were his mother Sarah [56] born Marlesford and stepfather Henry MOORE [46] a labourer born Moneweden; step-brother Bertie MOORE [18] horseman born Moneweden and his brother Roderick CAPON [18] farm labourer born Hacheston.

The pension card and CWGC have his mother Mrs Sarah MOORE at 56 Tollgate Lane, Bury St.Edmunds. Charles MOORE and Jack CAPON are unquestionably related via Sarah MOORE. Sadly there is no mention of either in the Bury Free Press.

His step brother Charles Moore died of his wounds in France in 1917 see here


He enlisted in Wisbech. Dying of his wounds in a Base Hospital and no service records, it is impossible to say where or when he was wounded




photo CWGC


Jack Capon is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France 8:B:1

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


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