Pte 25350 John William Braidwood

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 2 ROY SCOTS FUS
• Died on Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: Pier and Face 3C

John (Jack) was born in Liverpool in the third quarter of 1894 the son of John Cowan Braidwood and his wife Bessie (nee Clarkson). Both of his parents were born in Scotland and married on the 08th March 1882 in Wiston and Robertson, S. Lanarkshire.   

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 39 Borrowdale Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His mother, Bessie, is shown as the head of the household, aged 39, married and born in Scotland. John W. is 6 years of age. His siblings are shown as: Thomas aged 16, an apprentice mechanical engineer, Margaret aged 10, Bessie Clarkson aged 8 and Mary aged 5. All siblings are shown as born in Liverpool except Thomas who was born in Wiston and Robertson. There are two nieces present; Bessie aged 27 and Maggie Downie aged 22, both born Scotland.  

The family are still living at 39 Borrowdale Road, at the time of the 1911 Census.

His father is shown as John C. is aged 61 and the head of the household born at Penicuick, Midlothian in 1850 and a Marine Engineer which may explain his absence from the previous census if he was away at sea. His mother is shown as 57 years of age and born at Wiston, Lanarkshire. They advise that they have been married for 29 years and have had seven children one of whom has sadly died. Of those who are listed at home are; John William now aged 16 and a Clerk. His siblings are shown as Margaret Bessie a 20 year old telephonist, Bessie Clarkson is an 18 year old book-keeper and Mary aged 15 is a schoolgirl. Also present is companion Bessie Downie the 40 year old niece of his mother.

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 04th September 1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17793. He gave his age as 20 years and 50 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5" 8 and three quarter inches in height, weighed 134lbs with a 36" chest. He was of fresh complexion with brown hair and brown eyes. He stated his religion as Presbyterian and gave his father as next of kin at 39 Borrowdale Road, Liverpool. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham.

Whilst at 89th Brigade Depot, John transferred to the 30th Division Army Cyclist Corps on 09th August 1915 as Private 8966.

His records show that he served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 08th September 1915. However, on his file is a disciplinary offence at Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain  whilst with the Army Cyclist Corps on 24th October 1915 which shows John receive 3 days confined to barracks for "Breaking off parade without permission".  

He transferred to No.1 Coy of 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers as Private 25350 on 22nd May 1916.

John was killed on action on 01st July 1916 during the fateful first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 21.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

John earned his three medals. 

Soldiers Effects to father John C., Pension to mother Bessie. 

His personal belongings which were described as photo's were returned to his mother at 39 Borrowdale Road, Liverpool. 

His father gave a sworn declaration on 08th May 1919 that John's surviving relatives were his parents, brother Thomas and sisters Margaret, Bessie and Mary all shown to be living at 39 Borrowdale Road.   

John William is commemorated on the Memorial at Holt School, Liverpool which is now housed at Childwall Sports and Science Acadamy, Queens Drive, Liverpool.