Name
John Henry Searle
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/06/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3088
Seaforth Highlanders
1st/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 38 and 39.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Son of Elizabeth Mary (nee COSTER) SEARLE of Watford, and the late William John SEARLE.
His parents married 21 November 1883 at Christ Church, Brondesbury, Middx. William died 1923 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 31 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Elizabeth died 1936 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 19 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
John was born 8 November 1893 in Watford, and baptised 8 December 1893 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended first Victoria Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 30 April 1900 to 8 November 1907.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a gas works shop assistant aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 1 May 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There are articles about John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 19 June 1915 and 15 April 1916, plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 17 Jun
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
