Name
John Lilley
15 March 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9301
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Bishop's Stortford
Pre War
John Lilley was born on 15 March 1889 in Bishop's Stortford to William and Emily Lilley and baptised there on 10 July 1889.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Barrells Down, Bishop's Stortford where his father was working as a general labourer. They had moved to Rye Street, Bishop's Stortford by 1901. But on the 1911 Census John was a soldier, having enlisted into the 2nd Btn Bedfordshire Regiment, and was living in barracks. His occupation on enlistment was said to be a labourer (carman).
Wartime Service
Being a serving soldier, or reservist, he would have been one of the first to be sent to France and served there from 6 October 1914. On the day he died, early in the morning of 23 October, they were advancing from Zonnebeke on the Poezelhoek Road when they came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire resulting in heavy casualties. Later they were advancing to the west end of Gheluvelt and again came under attack with rifle and machine guns. The position was maintained but again losses were severe. His body was not recovered for burial, or was not identified.
Additional Information
His brother William was said to be his next of kin, but his sister Mary Pigram received the war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £7 18s 1d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
