Name
John Cameron Heather
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/09/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
3347
London Regiment *1
13th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL
Plot XXVI, Row G, Grave 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford,
1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop Memorial, Watford,
Watford Grammar School Memorial,
Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Florence Ann (nee BURKIN) HEATHER of Watford, and the late Thomas HEATHER.
His parents married 20 May 1893 at Holy Trinity, Haverstock Hill, Middx. Thomas died 27 October 1913 in Watford aged 44, and was buried 30 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Florence died 1923 in Watford aged 59, and was buried 21 March, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
John was born 20 August 1896 in New Southgate, Middx, and baptised 8 November 1896 at St Paul’s, New Southgate. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 2 May 1905 to 29 July 1907; then Watford Grammar School from 11 September 1907 to July 1913. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Southgate, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 14, he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Kensington, London; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 2 September 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“HEATHER, JOHN CAMERON. School period: September, 1907, to July, 1913. 13th London Regiment (Kensingtons). Killed in action in France, 9th September, 1916.”
There is a Death announcement for John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 September 1916.
Sue Ettridge, Scout Group Archivist confirmed (06/08/2015) that John Heather was a founder member of one of first Scout Groups (now the 1st/82nd Watford South based in Durban Road East), his brother forming an Old Scouts Club on return from the front in 1918. John’s name, together with his three fellow Scouts killed in action in WW1, is inscribed on the Memorial Plate on the North Wall of St Mary’s Church.
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
John is also commemorated on his family’s grave in Watford Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF SERGT. JOHN C. HEATHER AGE 20 KILLED IN ACTION 9TH SEPT. 1916.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Kensington).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
