John Townsend was born in Darwen on the 23rd February 1895, the son of Ralph Townsend and his wife Alice (née Fitzgerald). Ralph, born in Darwen, and Alice, from Wapping, London, married in 1882 at St John’s Church, Darwen, and had seven children: Cornwell, born in 1882, Eda in 1884 (who sadly died in infancy), Selina 1888, Robert 1890, John and a twin sister Annas in 1895, and Alice 1899 (who also died in infancy). John and Annas were baptised in St. John’s Church, Darwen, on the 07th March 1895, his father’s occupation was a collier, and the residence at the time of the baptism was 14 Longton Street. His twin died shortly afterwards.
John was the youngest of the four surviving children.
In 1901 the family is living at 23 Primrose Hill, Darwen. His father, 38, and Cornwell, 18, are coal miners, underground, his mother is 39, Selina is 13, a cotton weaver, Robert is 10, and John is 6.
His mother died in 1906, aged 45, when John was 11.
In 1911 John is living with his married brother Cornwell and his wife Sarah at 11 Primrose Hill. Cornwell, 28, is a coal miner/hewer, Sarah, 29, is a weaver. John is 16, listed as a creller (likely creeler) in cotton spinning. There are other Townsends living next door, and his father Ralph, 48, a coal miner, is living at number 17.
John attested in Darwen on 9th November 1914, joining The King’s Liverpool Regiment (Depot), as Private 21263, giving his age as 19 years and 9 months, and his occupation as spinner. He is described as being 5’ 5 and a half inches tall, weighing 125lbs, 34” chest, with a sallow complexion, green eyes, and brown hair. He gives his next of kin as his mother Mrs. Mary Townsend, 11 Primrose Hill, this is most likely his stepmother, although no remarriage found though.
He was posted to the 14th Bn K.L.R. and joined his unit on 21st November.
The 14th Bn trained in Eastbourne and Seaford, and in April 1915 were sent to Maidstone for two weeks entrenchment training. John shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 5th September 1915. On 28th October 1915 they embarked at Marseilles for the Balkans.
In 1916 the battalion took part in the Battles of Horseshoe Hill and Machukovo and in 1917 in the battles of Doiran.
John’s service record shows -
Character: V. Good
13/9/1916 admitted to 68 Field Ambulance, myalgia
17/9/1916 discharged to duty
9/11/1916 received Professional Pay Class I
24/4/1917 wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the left thigh and admitted to 35 CCS
25/4/1917 admitted 28 General Hospital in Salonika
10/5/1917 to No.2 Convalescent Depot, Salonika
23/5/1917 to No.2 Base Depot, Salonika
1/6/1917 rejoined his unit in the field
28/7/1917 admitted 31 CCS with ICT neck
2/8/1917 admitted 49 General Hospital, Salonika
9/10/1917 to No. 4 Convalescent Depot, Salonika
26/11/1917 to No. 2 Base Depot, Salonika
2/12/1917 rejoined his unit in the field
30/12/1917 admitted to 67 Field Ambulance, malaria
31/12/1917 admitted 52 General Hospital, Salonika
16/1/1918 to Convalescent Depot, Salonika
25/1/1918 to No.2 Base Depot, Salonika
30/1/1917 rejoined his unit in the field
22/5/1918 to Karaburun (?)
5/6/1918 rejoined unit
18/6/1918 embarked Itea (Greece)
20/6/1918 disembarked Taranto (in the heel of Italy)
After the 14th Bn’s return to France, on 13th of August 1918 they were absorbed by the 18th Battalion K.L.R., becoming the 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry) The King’s (Liverpool Regiment).
John was granted leave to the U.K. via Boulogne, from 5th-20th August 1918. Shortly after his return, on 29th August he was admitted to a Field Ambulance with malaria, and rejoined his unit on 3rd September.
The Hundred Days Offensive, the Allied push that would eventually end the war, began on 8th August. On 7th October 1918 the 18th battalion, in a rapid advance, arrived at the Hindenburg line.
John was wounded in action in the arm and thigh on 18th October 1918, admitted to a Field Ambulance, and died of his wounds the same day. Although CWGC shows his age as 22, from birth, baptism, and enlistment records John would have been 23 years old.
His death was reported in the Blackburn Weekly Telegraph on Saturday 16 November 1918;
Private John Townsend, King's Own(sic) Liverpool Regt., Primrose Hill, Darwen, died on October 22 from wounds received in action. Twenty-three years of age, he enlisted in 1914, and has been at the front over three years.
He now rests at Maurois CC, France. The Inscription on his headstone reads:
“DEEP IN OUR HEARTS HIS MEMORY WE KEEP”
Maurois village was the scene of fighting in the Battle of Le Cateau, 1914, and it remained in German hands until it was occupied by the South African Brigade on the 9th October, 1918. There are now over 80, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Three were buried by the enemy in August, 1914, three by their comrades in October, 1918, and one in October, 1918 in a single grave. The remainder were buried in October and November, with one of February, 1919. The plot covers an area of 286 square metres.
John served for 3 years and 344 days. He earned his three medals, which his father Ralph signed for. His father, at 17 Primrose Hill, Darwen, received John’s effects of £29-11s-3d, and a War Gratuity of £23, as well as John’s personal effects: 1 Wallet, 1 Identity disc, 2 Purses, 1 Birthday card, Dictionary, Wristlet disc with photo, Writing tablet, Photographs.
On Armistice Day, 11/11/1918, his brother Cornwell wrote to the Army: “Sir, I should esteem it a favour if you would let me know any further particulars of the place or town which we should be thankful to receive of my brother Pte. J. Townsend 21263 18 King’s Liverpool who is officially reported dead of wounds, place not stated. It would greatly ease our minds if you could give any further information. Thanking you in anticipation, C. Townsend, 11 Primrose Hill, Darwen.” John’s Service papers do not record a response.
On the 1921 Census at Primrose Hill, his widowed father, Ralph, is aged 59, and is still a coal miner, and living alone.
His father died in 1934, aged 71, and his brother Cornwell in 1941.
John is commemorated on the following Memorial:
Premier Mill, or Forrest & Co., Peel Mill, Darwen, Darwen Roll of Honour.
We currently have no further information on John Townsend, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
