ROWLEY, John Thomas

John Rowley was the son of John and Rose Rowley of 37 Albion Street, Brierley Hill. He volunteered for the Territorials and joined the 1/5th South Staffords. They accepted the need for overseas service and crossed to France on the 31st March 1915. After short postings to the front line they were called on to take part in the second stage of the Battle of Loos. On the 13th October they attacked the Hohenzollern Redoubt with a gallant 500 yard charge over open terrain against a well defended enemy. They suffered huge casualties in killed and wounded. They had no further action during 1915 but many of the seriously wounded died later. Private John Rowley returned home suffering from diabetes and entered Wordsley Military Hospital. He died on the 14th December and is buried in Brierley Hill cemetery and commemorated on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials and on the Wesleyan Roll of Honour.