Born: 1893, Eccleshill
Died: 13 November 1916
Buried: Y Ravine Cemetery
Address: 41 Institute Road, Eccleshill
Parents: Albert & Aice, nee Sharp
Spouse:
Siblings: nine, including Fred
Occupation: Smith & Hutton, Tunwell Mills
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park & St Luke’s
Children:
Regiment:Gordon Highlanders
John Patchett
John Patchett was born in 1893 in
Eccleshill the son of Albert and
Alice, nee Sharp.
In 1901 the family were living at 14
Eldon Place, Eccleshill and ten
years later they jad moved to 41
Institute Road. John, at 17 years of
age, was a wooling mule piecer.
Before enlisting he was employed
by Messrs Smith and Hutton of
Eccleshill and he was a member of
Eccleshill Congregational Sunday
School.
He enlisted on the 21st of
November 1915 as Private 4858 in
the 1st/7th Battalion of the Gordon
Highlanders, 51st Division.
His battalion was not involved in
any operation until the Battles of
the Somme 1st of July to the 18th
of November 1916 when the
Gordon Highlanders
took part in the attacks
on High Wood 20th to
the 25th of July.
The wood sits on ground
that gave the occupier
vital observation south,
east and north east and
both sides fought to
possess it.
John’s battalion was not
involved again until the Battle of
Ancre 13th to the 18th of
November which marked the end
of the Somme offensive and he was
killed in action on the 13th of
November, the first day of this
battle.
Four German divisions had to be
relieved due to the number of
casualties they suffered and over
7,000 German troops were
taken prisoner.
Father A Grant, Roman
Catholic Chaplain to the
153rd Brigade, wrote to
Mr and Mrs Patchett as
follows: “I am very sorry
to have to tell you of the
death of your son. He was
killed in action on the
13th.
“All the boys were at confession
and communion before going into
battle. God rest him and comfort
you and yours.
“The good French Cure asked his
people to pray for him and you.”
John was 23 years of age and
according to his family a workmate
said of him “He was a fine lad, a
hard worker and an enthusiastic
soldier and his untimely end is
greatly to be regretted”.
John is buried at the Y Ravine
Cemetery at Beaumont-Hamel.
"Y" Ravine runs East and West
about 800 metres South of the
village, from "Station Road" to the
front line of July 1916. There are
now over 400, 1914-18 war
casualties commemorated in this
site. Of these, over a third are
unidentified.
He left his effects to his father
Albert who received £2.10.0d on
the 1st March 1917 and a War
Gratuity of £3.0.0d on the 16th of
October 1919.
.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
