Name
John William Bassil
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/09/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
L/10123
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
Plot B, Row 23, Grave 49.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of William and Ann(ie) (nee BALDWIN) BASSIL.
His parents married 23 February 1895 at St Andrew’s, Watford. Annie died 1950 in Watford aged 82, and was buried 30 January in North Watford Cemetery; William died 28 January 1958 in Watford aged 93, and was buried 3 February, also in North Watford Cemetery.
John was born 1896 in Watford, and baptised 5 April 1896 at St Mary’s, Watford. In August 1910, he was awarded a watch for five year’s perfect attendance at Callowland Council School.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, aged 15 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He originally enlisted 9 March 1912 in Watford in the Territorial Force, for four years service in the U.K.: a printer aged 17 of Watford, as Private 1875 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. He was discharged 29 March 1913 in consequence of having joined the Regular Army. He transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment 29 March 1913 at Mill Hill, Middx, and was sent to join his new Corps at Maidstone, Kent. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 15 August 1914, and died at 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen, of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 23 September 1916.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
