Name
John Robert Christopher
27 Dec 1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/11/1914
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
7150
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Post Office Memorial (*1), Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial, St Mary's Church Memorial, Rickmansworth, Letchworth Town Memorial, Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
John Robert Christopher was born 27 Dec 1881 (Baptised 29 Nov 1883) at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, John was the son of John Henry and Mary Ann (nee Medley) Christopher. His parents had married in 1876 in the Bradford, Yorks, district. Mary died 1932 aged 77; John died 1936 aged 81; both in the Hitchin district.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Charles (born 1878), Charlotte A (born 1879), Herbert Samuel (born 1881), John Robert, Harold (born 1884),Alfred (born 1886), Mabel (born 1890) and Wilfred (born 1891) were living at 37 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin, Herts.
At the time of his death his family were living in Green Lane, Letchworth.
On 1901 Census the family were still living at 37 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin. Present were both parents: John and Mary, with John working as a Carpenter. Their children were: Charles, Charlotte Ann, Herbert Samuel, John Robert, Harold, Alfred, Mabel and Wilfred also present was Mary Medley (born 1852, Mary Ann’s sister).
He originally enlisted 12 Feb 1902. It is not clear how long he served(5years Service and 7 years on Reserve), but in by 7 Dec 1907 he had been appointed as assistant town postman in Watford. He seems to have remained there until 5 December 1909 when he became town postman in Hatch End.
On the 1911 Census John was a postman boarding with Annie Hapgood and her sister Ethel at 1 Caroline Cottage, Pinner. John’s parents and sister Mabel were living at 5, St John’s Walk, Hitchin.
In 1912 John married Jane Jepps (born 28 Feb 1886), the marriage being registered in Watford, and their son John was born on 23 Apr 1914.
When war was declared he was a postman in Rickmansworth and was called up from the Army Reserve list.
Officially he was recorded as born in Sleaford, Lincs. and was living in Hitchin, Herts. when he enlisted there.
Jane did not remarry after John’s death and in 1939 was living 25 Ferrol Road, Gosport with her son John, a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, and two boarders.
Wartime Service
When the Great War was declared he was a postman in Rickmansworth and was called from the Army Reserve list under his old Service Number and was promoted to Lance Corporal. As a regular army Battalion, John’s unit landed in France on the 16th of August 1914 as part of 15th Infantry Brigade 5th Division. John joined them on 30 Aug 1914, Baking part in the Retreat from Mons, Battle of the Marne (7-10 Sep 1914), La Bassee ( 0 Oct-2 Nov 1914). He was killed in action on 9 Nov 1914 in fighting in the Ypres area. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.
The Letchworth Chronical reported that on 27Oct 1914 he wrote home saying that he had been in the trenches for 14 days, had lost all his kit and only just escaped with his life.
Additional Information
After his death £5 19s 5d arrears was paid to his widow and child on 13 Mar 1915. Later, a War Gratuity of £5 was paid to her on 20 Sep 1919. The Post Office also gave a gratuity of £76 14s 3d on the 2 Mar 1915.
His pension cards record Jane Christopher as his widow and dependant, living at Apsley End, Shillington, near Hitchin. It also records their child as John William (b 23/4/1914). She was awarded a pension of 15s a week from 14 June 1915 for her and the child.
He had four brothers serving in the Army. Brother Harold served as Corporal 7728 in the Bedfordshire Regiment from 6 Aug 1914, transferring to Welsh Regiment as Cpl 55282 until discharged medically unfit.
Brother Alfred served as Rifleman 9823, 3/5 Battalion,(London Rifle Brigade) London Regiment from 5 Aug 1914 to 1 Jan 1917, discharged medically unfit on 28 Nov 1918.
Brothers Herbert and Charles were reported to have served but no information was found.
Unfortunately, John’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
