Born: 1895, Bradford
Died: 13 April 1918
Buried:
Address: 82 Wellington Road, Undercliffe
Parents: Sam & Clara, nee Horsfield
Spouse:
Siblings: Lewis, Alfred, Frank
Occupation: Thos Ambler, Valley Road, Bradford
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: L Cpl
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Ploegsteert Memorial
Children:
Regiment: King’s Royal Rifles
John Ratcliffe
John Ratcliffe was born in 1895 in
Bradford the youngest of four sons
of Sam and Clara, nee Horsfield.
In 1911 John, at 16 years of age,
was working as a dresser for a
warping manufacturer. At the time
of his enlistment he was working
for Messrs Thomas Ambler at
Valley Road.
John enlisted in September 1914 as
Private C/997 in the 16th Battalion
of the King’s Royal Rifles and at
some point in his service he was
promoted to Lance Corporal. His
battalion landed at Le Havre on the
17th November 1915 and in March
of 1917 we learn he was suffering
from trench feet. However, he
returned to the front and was killed
in action on the 13th of April 1918
during the actions in the spring of
1918.
John is remembered on the
Ploegsteert Memorial which
commemorates men who died in
this sector and have no known
grave. Most of those
commemorated by the memorial
did not die in major offensives,
such as those which took place
around Ypres to the north, or Loos
to the south. Most were killed in
the course of the day-to-day trench
warfare which characterised this
part of the line, or in small scale set
engagements, usually carried out in
support of the major attacks taking
place elsewhere.
He left his effects to his mother
Clara who received £7.17.6d on the
30th August 1919 and a War
Gratuity of £16.0.0d.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
