Born: 1893, Bradford
Died: 27 June 1917
Buried: Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery
Address: 17 Fletton Terrace, Eccleshill
Parents: James Henry & Ada Sophia, nee Tarlton
Spouse:
Siblings: Four brothers and four sisters
Occupation: Spinner, woollen mill
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill Park
Children:
Regiment: Cameron Highlanders
John William Close
John William Close was born in
1893 in Bradford, the second of
nine children of James Henry and
Ada Sophia, nee Tarlton who were
living at 1 Vine Place at the time.
By 1911 the family had moved to
17 Fletton Street, Eccleshill and
John William at 17 years of age
was a spinner in a woollen mill.
He enlisted on the 7th November
1915 as Private 23790 in the 5th
Battalion of the Queen’s Own
Cameron Highlanders.
He arrived on the Western Front
during the build up to the Somme
and his Regiment took part on the
first day of this offensive known as
the Battle of Albert from the 1st of
July to the 13th July 1916.
His Regiment was also involved in
the Battle of Bazentin Wood 14th to
the 17th July, the Battle of Delville
Wood 15th July to the 3rd
September and the Battle of Le
Transoy 1st to the 18th October
1916.
It was during the Arras Offensive at
the first Battle of the Scarpe 9th to
the 14th of April 1917 that John
William was wounded on the first
day.
He received severe gunshot wounds
to his head and body and was
transferred from the sick convoy to
No.12 Ambulance train and then to
No.18 General Hospital on the 11th
of April. He spent 78 days in
hospital before dying of his wounds
on the 27th of June 1917. He was
31 years of age.
John William is buried in the
Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery
which was begun in April 1917 and
used by fighting units and Field
Ambulances until March 1918.
He left his effect to his mother Ada
who received £3.11.5d on the 30th
of October 1917 and a War Gratuity
of £7.0.0d on the 21st October
1919.
Researched and written by Jean Britteon,
to whom many thanks.
