FORD, JOHN T ("JACK")
Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser
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Source |
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CWGC |
SDGW |
Uttoxeter Advertiser |
Other |
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Parents |
John Ford |
Yes |
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Where born |
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire |
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Yes |
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5 |
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When born |
About 1876 |
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5 |
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Address |
Wife: 2, Allsebrooke Yard, Bligh Street, Uttoxeter |
Yes |
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4i |
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Allsebrook’s Yard, Uttoxeter |
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4e, 4g, 4k |
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At the time of enlistment: Smithfield Road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire |
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4a, 4b |
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Spouse |
Sarah A. Ford |
Yes |
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Yes |
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4e, 4g, 4i, 4k |
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Children |
One |
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4e, 4g, 4k |
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Fred |
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4i |
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Employment Before Joining up |
Urban District Council and then Mr. Chell, of Balance Street |
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4e |
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Where enlisted |
Altcar, Lancashire |
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Yes |
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6 |
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Regiment |
North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) |
Yes |
Yes |
4a, 4e, 4i, 4k |
6 |
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Unit |
1st Bn |
Yes |
Yes |
4a, 4k |
6 |
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Rank |
Private |
Yes |
Yes |
4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l |
6 |
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Service Number |
6294 |
Yes |
Yes |
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6 |
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Date of Death |
12 August 1916 |
Yes |
Yes |
4e, 4f, 4g, 4g, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l |
6 |
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Age at time of death |
40 |
Yes |
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4e |
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Where Killed or died |
Guillemont - Somme |
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4g, 4k |
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France/Flanders |
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Yes |
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How he died |
Killed in action |
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Yes |
4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l |
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Location of Grave or Memorial |
Thiepval Memorial for the Missing, Pier and Face 14 B and 14 C. |
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3 |
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Uttoxeter Town War Memorial |
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6 |
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Awards |
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Before the war Jack served with the regular army and went through the South African war4d, 4e with his friend, John (Patsy) Bloor. He was described as 'an old campaigner' 4e.
He subsequently went into the Army Reserve4a, 4c, 6 and worked for the Urban District Council4e before moving on to work for Mr. Chell of Balance Street, Uttoxeter4e. We do not know what he did for Mr. Chell.
As Reservists, John and Patsy were called up at the outbreak of war4a, 4c, 4e, 6.
Patsy and Jack joined the main body of his regiment in the fighting line in November 19144b.
Jack remained in the danger zone right through until his death4e, taking part in many big actions4c, but escaping injury up to the time of being killed4e. He enjoyed a period of leave at home in July 19154c, 4d, 6 and was described in the Uttoxeter Advertiser4c at the time as looking in the best of health.
On the 17th of June 1916 Patsy was killed. Patsy and Jack had served through the South African war together4d and had also been together at the front since the outbreak of the Great War4d, 4e. This was a big loss for Jack and the Uttoxeter Advertiser said that they had been through many a stiff engagement together4e.
Patsy also has a page on our website.
Jack was killed on 12th August 1916, barely two months after Patsy died. It happened late at night in a trench that was being bombarded by the Germans, so we assume that he was killed by shellfire.
His Sergeant sent a letter to his family in which he said the following4e:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing of your husband, Pte. W. Ford, and trust you will be brave enough to learn that he was killed late at night on August 12. At that time the Germans were bombarding our trenches, in which Pte. Ford was, and he was killed instantaneously.
“It will perhaps be a little consolation to know that he could not have suffered in the least. We all miss him so much. I don’t think he was ever downhearted, and many a night has been enlivened by him.
“Our deepest sympathy goes to you in this trial.”
The Uttoxeter Advertiser Roll of Honour says that he died at Guillemont, Ypres.
He left a wife4e and one child4e – a little son, Fred4i.
Jack has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
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The Thiepval Memorial
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Jack was greatly mourned by his wife and brother and they posted some very touching notices in the Uttoxeter Advertiser on the anniversary of his death for a number of years.
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These two very touching notices were posted in the Uttoxeter advertiser in August 19174g, 4h to mark the first anniversary of his death |
FORD. – In Loving Memory of my Dear Husband, Pte. Jack T. Ford, who was killed in action at Guillemont, August 12, 1916. Far and oft my thoughts do wander To a grave so far away, were they laid my dear husband Just a year ago today. I often think of days gone by, When we were both together; A shadow on my home is cast, A loved one gone for ever
- Ever remembered by his loving Wife and Child, Allsebrook’s Yard, Uttoxeter |
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FORD. – In Loving Memory of Pte. Jack Ford, who was killed in action, August 12, 1916. Far and oft my thoughts do wander To a grave so far away, where they laid my only brother Just a year ago today. - From Brother Fred, Burton Terrace, Uttoxeter |
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These two notices followed in 19184i, 4j to mark the second anniversary of his death |
FORD. – In Loving Memory of my dear Husband, Pte. John Ford, North Staffs. Rgt., who was killed in action, August 12, 1916. Gone is the one I loved so dear, Silent the voice I long to hear – Too far away for sight or speech, But not too far for my thoughts to reach. “Duty Nobly Done.”
- Ever remembered by his loving Wife and little Son Fred, 2, Allsebrook’s Yard, Uttoxeter |
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FORD, - In Loving Memory of Pte. Jack Ford, who was killed in action, August 12, 1916. Sleep on, dear brother; your work is done; The fight goes on till victory’s won; For Right and Justice will proclaim The fallen bears an honoured name. -From Brother Fred, Burton-Terrace, Uttoxeter |
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The third anniversary was marked in this way in August 19194k, 4l |
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In Loving Memory of Pte. J. Ford, who was killed in action, August 12, 1916 – Ever remembered by Brother Fred, Burton Terrace. |
