Bastock, John Henry (Jack)

Age: 24
Date of birth:

Parents: John and Sarah Bastock
Wife: Alice Mabel Fretwell
Address: 24 Bridge Street

Occupation: Gardener's Labourer

John Henry (Jack) was born in April 1893. He was baptised at All Saint’s Church, Warwick on 21st February 1894. He was the youngest of five children. He had three brothers Charles, William and George and one sister Lily.

In 1911 he was living at 24 Bridge Street with his parents John and Sarah and working as a Gardener’s Labourer. Jack’s brother, William, also died in the same year and it appears that their parents had lost a third son, George Edward (18), before the war.  George is buried in Warwick Cemetery and his brother’s names have been added to his gravestone.  John and William are also commemorated in St Nicholas Park Warwick

Warwick Advertiser 11th May 1918

 

Military Service

Rank & Number: Rifleman, R/36204
Regiment/Service: 16th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
Brigade/Division: 110th Brigade, 33rd Division
Date of death: Monday, May 14, 1917
Cause of death/Battle: Died of wounds whilst POW
Commemorated/Buried: Niederzwehren Cemetery Germany
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Commemorated locally at: St Pauls Church, Avenue of Trees in St Nicholas Park

Although it later emerged that he had died in May 1917, his family did not hear of it until August that year. It is not clear from this brief notice how long before his death he was reported missing.

Warwick Advertiser 25th August 1917

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

Leave a Reply