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John FAWCETT (1)

Main CPGW Record

Surname: FAWCETT

Forename(s): John

Place of Birth: Burnley, Lancashire

Service No: 8855

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Lancashire Fusiliers

Battalion / Unit: 'C' Coy 2nd Battalion

Division: 4th Division

Age: 32

Date of Death: 1915-02-13

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. D. 17.

CWGC Cemetery: TANCREZ FARM CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John Fawcett was the son of Frank and Priscilla Fawcett, née Robinson. Frank was born at Burnley and Priscilla at Colne, Lancashire.

1891 Habergham Eaves, Lancashire Census: 5, Adland Street - John Fawcett, aged 9 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of Frank and Prisilla [sic] Fawcett.

John was married to Mary Jane Bolton in 1908. Mary Jane was the sister of Sergeant James Bolton (10487) (q.v.). Mary married Percy J. Robinson in 1950.

1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 15, Gisburn Street - John Fawcett, aged 29 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, husband of Mary Jane Fawcett.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Fawcett, 8855, Lan. Fus. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ) [France]. Date of entry therein: 11.9.14. K. in A. 13.2.15.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Fawcett, 8855, 2nd Lancs. Fus. K. in Action 13.2.15.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John Fawcett, 8855, 2nd Bn Lancashire Fus'rs. Date and Place of Death: 13.2.15. Le Bizet. In Action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Mary Jane. £3 14s. 7d. Self and Children. War Gratuity - Widow Mary J. £5 0s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Mary Jane, born 25.4.85. [No address found.] Children: Thomas, born 28.1.09. John, born 22.5.10. Franisco [sic], born 30.7.11.

In 1921 Mary and her sons, Thomas, John and Francisco were living at Springs Cottages, Barnoldswick. In 1939 Mary (later Robinson), John and Francisco were living at 2, Plum Tree Way, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

A short biography of John is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

FAWCETT, John, 9, Church Street, [Barnoldswick], Lancashire Fusiliers, killed by sniper in France Feb. 13, 1915.

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Private John FAWCETT

Private John FAWCETT

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Lancashire Fusiliers

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Lancashire Fusiliers

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: FAWCETT

Forename(s): John

Born: Burnley, Lancs

Residence:

Enlisted: Burnley

Number: 8855

Rank: Private

Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 13/02/15

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: FAWCETT

Forename(s): John

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 8855

Rank: Private

Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers

Unit: 2nd Bn.

Age: 32

Awards:

Died Date: 13/02/1915

Additional Information: Husband of Mary Jane Fawcett, of 25, Gisburn St., Barnoldswick, Colne, Lancs. Native of Burnley. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: R.I.P.)

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View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

26 February 1915

BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER KILLED BY GERMAN SNIPER

Intelligence reached Barnoldswick on Monday, in a letter from one of his comrades at the front, of the death of Pte. John Fawcett, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, whose wife and three children reside at No. 9, Collin Street, Barnoldswick. Pte. Fawcett was a native of Burnley, but had lived in Barnoldswick about three years, following the occupation of a weaver. He was a reservist and went to the Continent with the first batch of the Expeditionary Force. He was of a quiet and unassuming nature, and highly esteemed by his associates, and great sympathy is felt towards his widow and children, one of whom is just recovering from an attack of pneumonia. Mrs. Fawcett is a daughter of Mr. T. Bolton, Gisburn Street, who has three sons at the front. The last letter from Pte. Fawcett was received about three weeks ago. The first intimation of his death was conveyed by the following letter dated February 17th, from Pte. W. Nettleton, of No. 9 Platoon, 'C' Company:– "Just a few lines to tell you the sad news of Jack's death, which occurred while he was in the trenches. It happened on Saturday, February 18th, at 3-30 in the afternoon. He was shot by one of the enemy's snipers, and he died a painless death. It was all over in a minute; he was not able to speak a word. We are sending you his letters, pipes, etc., which we took from him. He was a good soldier and comrade and was well liked in our section. – We remain, Jack's Chums.”

Since the above, official papers have been received from the War Office stating that Pte. Fawcett was killed at Bizet.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

26 February 1915

DEATH OF A BARNOLDSWICK MAN AT THE FRONT

News has this week been received of the death at the Front of Private John Fawcett, a Barnoldswick man who was killed in the trenches by a bullet from a German sniper.

The deceased was a native of Sandgate, Burnley, but he had lived in Barnoldswick for over three years, having removed to the town to better his circumstances as a cotton weaver. His widow and three children live at 9, Collin Street, Barnoldswick, and a sad coincidence is the fact that one of his baby daughters was seriously ill with pneumonia at the time her father was killed. We understand, however, that the child is getting better now.

Pte. Fawcett was called upon at the outbreak of war to join his old regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers, as a reservist. He took part in nearly all the important engagements, and his last message from ‘Somewhere in France’ reached Barnoldswick about a fortnight ago. The sad news was conveyed in a letter dated February 17th addressed to Private (168) W. Nettleton of No. 9 Platoon ‘C’ Company, to some friends of deceased at Burnley. In the message the writer says:– “Just a few lines to tell you of the sad news of Jack’s (Pte. Fawcett) death, which occurred whilst he was in the trenches. It happened on Saturday, February 13th at 3.30 in the afternoon. He was shot by one of the enemy’s snipers, and he died a painless death. It was all over in a minute, and he was not able to speak a word. We are sending you his letters, pipes, etc., which we took from him. He was a good soldier and comrade, and was well liked in our section.”

26 March 1915

BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER’S ESCAPE: “Have Avenged Dear Old Jack”

Private J. Bolton of the Machine Gun Section, 2nd Border Regiment, ‘somewhere in France’, writing to a relative in Barnoldswick says:– “Just a few lines to let you know I have avenged dear old Jack.” (Reference to Private J. Fawcett, who was a brother-in-law to the writer and whose death in action was reported in the Pioneer a few weeks ago.)

Continuing, the writer says:– “We have had a big battle – my word, it was a scrap. My regiment alone, the old 55th, got 400 prisoners and a machine gun. I got a bullet through my ammunition box, and then through my pants, but it never hurt me! You should have seen their trenches when we got there. Enclosed you will find a photo and postcards. The photo I got off a wounded German who was shot through both legs. I felt sorry for him so I gave him my ration of rum. He said ‘Good English’ then gave me a photo and pointing out his own portrait from the group, said ‘Souvenir, good English!’ The other two photographs I got off a dead German – one was in his pocket and the other (that of a young woman) lay by his side. After the battle the General himself came and personally commended the machine gun section for the way we handled our guns. I will now close, hoping this finds you all in the best of health, as it leaves me at present.”

24 December 1915

CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – BARNOLDSWICK

Pte. John Fawcett, Lancashire Fusiliers, killed by a German sniper in France on February 13th. Left a widow and three children, who reside at 9 Collin Street, Barnoldswick.

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