Name
John Edward (Jack) Green
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/02/1919
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
WR/250933
Royal Engineers
112th Railway Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LILLE SOUTHERN CEMETERY
II. A. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
WHILE THE LIGHT LASTETH I WILL REMEMBER AND IN THE DARKNESS I WILL NOT FORGET
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, Christ Church Memorial, Little Heath, Potters Bar War Memorial, Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar, Not on the North Mymms memorials
Pre War
John Edward was born in Hatfield in 1891 the eldest son of John Green and Georgina (nee, of Newtown, Hatfield.
In the 1901 Census, John, age 10, was living with parents, Georgina (born 1892), George William (born 1899), and Walter Charles (born 1901) in St Albans Road, Newtown, Hatfield. His father was a dust contractor.
He married Dorothy Lydia Rebecca Sadler of Reeves Cottages, North Mimms, Hatfield, Herts. on 6 March 1911 at Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Church.
Later, the 1911 Census shows John and Lydia Green are living in a one room apartment in Hatfield Newtown they have been married for only a few months. John’s occupation is given as a carter general. His parents, were living with
Their children were Dorothy Lydia (born 1911) and John Albert (born 1914) born two days after he enlisted!
Prior to signing up with the Royal Engineers, John served for 18 months in the Herts. Volunteers.
Wartime Service
John attested on 2 Dec 1914 in London as Sapper in the Railway Troops, Royal Engineers and given service number 55580. At that time he was living at Reeves Cottages North Mimms with his wife, he was a platelayer with the Great Northern Railway. He went to France with 112th Railway Company on 15 Feb 1915.
According to his records, on the 28th Oct 1917 he was out after hours without authority and lost 2 days pay and his Good Conduct Badge was forfeited.
He was given service number WR/250933 when the Royal Engineers was re-organised in 1918.
John was admitted to 39 Stationary Hospital, Lille on 14 Feb 1919 and he died 5-days later (20 Feb). His death is recorded as “Report re the death of WR/250933, Spr. J. F. Green 112th Rly. Company. The above named soldier was admitted to this hospital on 14/2/19 suffering from Influenza which was contracted during military service, and aggravated by exposure or fatigue while on Military duty. He was in no way to blame.”
It is presumed this was ‘Spanish’ flu, prevalent at that time.
Additional Information
JJohn’s personal effects were sent to his wife at Reeves Cottages.
After John’s death the sum of £1 18s 4d was authorised for payment on 19 May 1916, a further £10 15s 7d on 30 Jul 1919 and then £22 7s 8d on 9th Sep 1919. This included a War Gratuity of £24 10s 0d.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs John Green (Widow) of Reeves Cottages, North Mimms, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Martin Cope, Mike Allen, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
