JOHN, Wilfred

Wilfred John was born at Hanley, Staffs, and his family moved to Wollaston via Brierley Hill. His father had been a steel worker originating from Wales. He attended Stourbridge Grammar School from 1907 to 1909. He volunteered in 1914 and joined the Manchester Regiment. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion and was wounded in the fighting around La Bassée in late 1914. He returned to his depot in February 1915 and joined the 11th Battalion as they were being sent to Gallipoli. They landed at Suvla Bay on the 6th August but thereafter were engaged in particularly unpleasant trench warfare. Shelling and sniping were frequent and Private Wilfred John died of wounds on the 28th October. He was 24 years of age and is commemorated on the Helles, Stourbridge, Wollaston church and King Edward VI College Memorials. The surname is spelled “Johns” on the Wollaston Memorial.