No.14805, Sergeant, John Edmond FLACK
Aged 26
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John Edmund Flack was born in Waterbeach on 3rd April 1891 (Chesterton Q2-1891 3B:486), son of Walter Frederick and Avis FLACK (née CULLUM), of Partridge Hall Farm, Swaffham Prior
1891 census...Aged 2 days, he was at Church End, Waterbeach with his father [25] farm labourer and mother Avis [23], all born in Waterbeach. 1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Heath Road, Swaffham Prior with his parents (father now farm foreman) and sister Mary A [8]. 1911 census...Aged 19, a GPO Postman, he was at 12 Mortlake Road, Ilford, Essex, boarding with Frederick and Hannah WILDER. His parents and new brother Alfred Arthur Walter [4] born Swaffham Prior, were at Partridge Hall Farm, Swaffham Prior.
The pension card has his mother at still at Partridge Hall Farm.
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He enlisted in Warley, Essex. His death was presumed to have been 14th April 1917.
CWGC have him in 1st battalion, but since he arrived in France on 30th August 1915 that indicates he was with the 11th Battalion at that time as recorded on his medal index card. The 11th were raised at Warley in September 1914, and arrived at Boulogne on 30th August 1915. He therefore must have been transferred to the 1st later, since the 11th lost no men on 14th April according to CWGC, having a quietish time around Puits 14bis NE of Loos, however the 1st had a terrible day. The scene of the battle was MONCHY-LE-PREUX and the 1st Essex together with the 1st Newfoundland prevented the Germans from taking the town but at a great cost, losing 187 killed, only 6 with identified grave. Out of 31 officers and 892 other ranks, casualties were 17 officers and 644 other ranks. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment fared little better, with 460 casualties (166 were killed or died of wounds, 141 were wounded and 153 became prisoners).
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
