Name
Jack (John) Scales Lisles
1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16930
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DATCHWORTH (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, Datchworth Village Memorial, All Saints Church Memorial, Datchworth
Pre War
Jack was born in Datchworth in 1888 and the son of Joseph & Susannah Lisles – later of 9, Brampton Park Rd., Hitchin. He was registered as Jack Scales Lisles - Scales was his mother’s surname and she was probably related to Herbert Scales (qv).
In 1891 the family were living at Hollybush Farm, Datchworth. Present were both parents: Joseph (42) and Susannah (42), with Joseph working as an agricultural labourer. Their children were: Joseph (14), Richard (13), Albert (10), Walter John (8), Edith Ellen (5) and Jack Seals (2).
In 1901 the family were still living at Hollybush Farm, Datchworth. Present were both parents, with Joseph now working as a labourer and ploughman. The children now listed were Walter and John (Jack).
By 1911 Susan (Susannah) was 62 and now a widow, but still at the same address. The only child still present was Jack, now 23 and a farm labourer.
He was unmarried and had worked at the Hitchin Urban District Council sewage farm before enlisting in September 1914
Officially Jack was recorded as born in Datchworth, Herts., and living in Hitchin, when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
He volunteered in September 1914 and joined the 8th Battalion of the Regiment with the Regimental Number 16930. He arrived in France 30.08.1915 and fought in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Loos and on the Somme where he was severely wounded. He was invalided home to a military hospital in Bristol but died of his wounds.
On the 21st September 1916, the Battalion had moved back to Guillemont and dug in at the north-east corner south of the railway in support of the Buffs. The three days following were spent in preparing assembly trenches for a further attack.
His funeral took place in Datchworth, there was a firing party od 2 NCOs and 10 men, plus 2 buglers from the Royal Engineers. The former fired 3 volleys over the grave and the latter played the Last Post.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. S. Lisles, of 9, Brampton Park Rd., Hitchin, ordered his headstone inscription: "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy Cross I Cling". It is believed that his mother may have moved back to Datchworth later.
After his death £3 19s 9d was authorised to go to his mother Susannah on 6 September 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £8 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 30 September 1919.
His pension cards record Mrs S Lisles, his mother, as his dependant, living at East View, Brampton Park Road, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 1 May 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, June Colegrove, Adrian Pitts, Pat Bird, Jonty Wild
