Name
John William Worboys
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/07/1915
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
6743
Dorsetshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LARCH WOOD (RAILWAY CUTTING) CEMETERY
II. J. 16.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Ashwell memorial St Mary's Church, Ashwell, Roll of Honour
Pre War
John William Worboys was born in Ashwell in 1881, the son of Samuel and Rebecca Worboys (nee Huffer), and one of nine children, although two had died in infancy. It is likely that he was educated at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Back Street, Ashwell where his father was working as a brewer's labourer. By 1901 they had moved to Hornsey, Middlesex and were living at 43 St Mary's Hill. 19 year old John and his father were working as a road navvies [labourers].
He married Lilian Sophia Atherfold in St Mary's Church, Battersea, London on 10 November 1907 at which time his occupation was given as Police Constable. They had two children, Lilian Violet in 1908 and Jack Aubrey in 1910. On the 1911 Census they were living at 60 Gowrie Road, Battersea and John's occupation was recorded as Police Constable (Met).
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Barnet and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment, being promoted to Lance Corporal and serving with the 1st Battalion.
He was killed in action on 5 July 1915, aged 34. and is buried in Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. John is one of 19 soldiers buried in the cemetery who died on the same day.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £3 4s 7d. She also received a pension of £1 1s 0d a week for herself and her two children, later rising to £1 2s 10d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, www.ashwellmuseum.org.uk
