13309 Private John Sumner
8th(Service) Battalion
South Staffordshire Regiment
19th December 1915
Born in Walsall in 1877. He was baptised on 08/04/1877. His parents were Charles Henry Sumner (1858-1912) and
Ellen Lines (1857-1937). They were married on 09/09/1876.
John had 1 brother, Charles Henry (1886-16/10/1953) and 7 sisters, Ellen Jane (1879-1956), Maria (05/03/1880-1960),
Lily (01/03/1882-03/12/1951), Edith (1885-25/09/1957), Jessie Maud (05/09/1888-1969), Rosina (18/01/1891-1983) and Gertrude May (17/05/1895-1960).
In the 1881 census, the family were recorded as living at 22 Wrentham Street, Birmingham. Charles snr. was employed as a chandelier lamp maker.
By the time of the 1891 census, the family had moved to 114 Highgate Street, Aston, Birmingham. John was now working
and like his father was employed as a brass cabinet worker.
On 06/01/1899, John enlisted as Private 4667 in 4th South Staffordshire Regiment. His medical was on the same day in Lichfield, details as follows.
Apparent Age - 19 years.
Height - 5 feet 4 3/4 inches.
Chest Measurement - Minimum - 32 inches, Maximum - 34 inches.
Complexion - Fresh, Eyes - Dark, Hair - Dark Brown.
Religious Denomination - Church of England.
He was attested 06/01/1899- 23/02/1899, then embodied 05/12/1899- 12/08/1901).
The family had moved home once again by the time the 1901 census was taken and were now living at 34 Woodland Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire. John must have returned from the army as he is listed as being employed as a chandelier maker like his father.
In 1902 John Married Elizabeth Ann Bishop (16/05/1882-1959) and they went on to have 6 children,
Elizabeth May (28/10/1903- 1986), Florence Louisa (10/09/1905-1999), John Henry (06/09/1907-1982),
Edith Margaret ( 29/03/1910-1979), Doris Evelyn (30/08/1913-1992) and Frances Ypres (06/08/1916-2001).
In 1911, John and his family were recorded in the census that year as living at 123 Hollyhedge Lane, Walsall. John was working as an iron caster.
When war broke out, John re-enlisted to the army and went to France on 14/07/1915. He was killed in action on 19/12/1915.
The Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle – Saturday December 23 1916
Roll of Honour
Sumner – In Loving Memory of my dear husband, Private John Sumner, who was killed at Ypres, Dec. 19th, 1915.
“A sad day recalled “- Fondly remembered by his wife and children.
The Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle – Saturday January 15, 1916
Killed while at bombing post.
While in the trenches in France with the South Staffords on duty at a bombing post , Private John Sumner , of 123 Hollyhedge Lane was hit by a fragment of a shell and killed outright. He was laid to rest the following day, together with several other fallen comrades in a little cemetery to the north of Ypres – Menin Road and a cross bearing his name and number was erected on the spot. The sad news was sent to the widow by Second Lieutenant F.O. Soden,
while another sympathetic letter has been received from a chum of the deceased, who writes “ I feel I have lost a pal and a good one at that. He died without suffering any pain”. The deceased soldier who was 37 years of age, first joined the Army at the age of 20 and served through the Boer war without a scratch. When this war broke out, he was in the employ of Messrs J Guest & Sons, Wolverhampton St and re-enlisted. Shortly before his death he wrote home from the front explaining how he had two narrow escapes, one bullet passing through his hat, while another damaged his rifle. He leaves a widow and five children.
Walsall Observer – Saturday 22 January 1916
Roll of Honour
Sumner – In Loving memory of Private John Sumner, of the 8th South Staffs, who was killed in action on December 19th, 1915, aged 37 years.
We often speak and speak of him,
And wonder how he died.
To think he could not say “Good-bye”.
Before he closed his eyes.
From his wife and children
The Picture World, Saturday, 22 January 1916
On Active Service
Private John Sumner (37), of 123 Hollyhedge Lane, Walsall, who has been killed in action, leaves a widow and five little children. He was formerly employed ay Guest’s works in Wolverhampton Street, Walsall, and he served through the Boer War.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His wife was awarded a pension of 24/6 a week from 10/07/1916 on 05/07/1916. The pension was authorised to be increased by 2/- a week from 06/08/1916, following the birth of her daughter Frances Ypres.
Elizabeth, his widow, remarried in 1919 to James Grainger (born in 1880) and they had 2 daughters, Minnie (born in 1920) and Winnie (born in 1921).