Name
John (Jack) Ransom (MC)
5 August 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/09/1919
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
Attached H.Q., L. of C.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
XLV. C. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
ALL HE GAVE IN SACRIFICE
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
John, known as Jack, was born on 6 July 1896 in Hitchin and was the third son of parents, Francis and Priscilla Maud Ransom (née Lucas). They married in Hitchin in 1891.
In the 1901 census the family home was The Chilterns, Wymondley Road, Hitchin, however both parents were absent and have not yet been found. The census records the household (present) as, Francis and Priscilla’s children, John (8), Philip (7), Hubert William (4) and Christopher (1). Also present were governess - Margaret G Harris (25), domestic nurse - Lizzie Wilsher (29), cook - Clara Bean (36), parlour maid - Edith Mashford (21) and housemaid - Beatrice J Ambron (22). Without further information we presume the parents were away visiting and had left the children in the charge of their governess.
By 1911 the family were living at the same address, however both parents were now present Francis (51) and Priscilla Maud (40). The census recorded they had been married for 19 years with 7 children, of whom 2 had died. The only child present was Richard Francis aged 4. Four servants were also present. We know that two children had died, and it is presumed the rest were away at schools or with the parents. With further investigation John was found boarding at Rugby School and Hubert, now 14, boarding at Grove House, Leighton Park School, Shinfield Rd, Reading, Berks.
He was educated at Pembroke College and took a ‘Military Special’ there. He began a military career in June 1914.
Wartime Service
As a serving soldier John landed in France on the 13 August 1914. He was with the Royal Berkshires in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 and was severely wounded on the 12th March 1915 and had to have a leg amputated. Following the amputation he suffered blood poisoning and his recovery was slow and painful. He returned to duty in June 1916 and was made Adjutant of the 2nd Central Army School at St. Omer. His award of the Military Cross is mentioned in the London Gazette 1918-2-6470 and was the result of his action at Neuve Chapelle.
At the time of his death he was attached to General Uniacke's Headquarters Lines of Communication. He had contracted pneumonia and died of this and heart failure in the 24th General Hospital at Etaples.
He was buried in Plot 45, Row C, Grave 19 in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France with full military honours. A private inscription on the headstone reads "All he gave in sacrifice".
Additional Information
On 30 December 1917, when claiming his 1914 Stare was recorded as at OC 2nd Army Central School of Instruction, attd. 4th Army, these were eventually sent to his father at Newlands, Hitchin.
His brother, Hubert was Second Lieutenant in the Roya in the RFC and was killed on 27 March 1918 and another brother, Philip serves with the Hertfordshire Regiment and survived.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
