Name
John Bligh
20th May 1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8480
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Loos Memmorial to the missing in France.
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial, Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans, Not on the Hatfield memorials
Pre War
John Bligh was born in Hatfield, Herts on 20th May 1887, son of John Bligh (B 1850 in St Albans) and Harriett Bligh (nee Kemp) (B 1856 in North Mymms). He was Baptised in the Parish of St Mark, Colney Heath, Herts, on 29th September 1889. one of 12 children, 5 of whom died.
1891 Census records John aged 3, living with his parents, sister Minnie 9, Mary 6, Mabel 1 and brother Robert 8, in Camp Road, St Albans, Herts. 1901 Census records John aged 14, living with his parents, brother Robert 18, Leonard 6, sisters Mable 12 and Daisey 2, at Newgate Cottages, Sandridge, St Albans, Herts.
John enlisted in the County Town of Hertford on 28th December 1904 aged 18, joining the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 5199. He was 5'- 5" tall, his occupation was a "Carman" and at the time he was lived at 4 Whitehall Gardens, St Albans. At some time a renumbering tool place as his Service Number changed to 8480.
The 1911 Census records John in the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, aged 23, single and stationed in Bermuda / Jamaica.
Wartime Service
It is assumed John was still in the Army on the outbreak of war. His medal card indicates he left the UK on 16th August 1914, with his Battalion. (Possible with the 1st Battalion as the 2nd Battalion did not leave the UK until October 1914.
John was Killed in Action on 26th September 1915, the second day of the "Battle of Loos" (25th Sept 1915 to 13th Oct 1915). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the missing.
Additional Information
His effects of £11-3s-7d, Pay Owing and £6, War Gratuity went to his sister Minnie. (Mrs Minnie Hill). His brother Private 8479 Robert Bligh, Died of Wounds on 27th March 1918. He is Buried in the CWGC Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. He also served with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. His Service Record for 1904 was found.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
