Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Poyser, a blacksmiths labourer, born 1851 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., and his wife Emma Poyser (nee Harper, married 1873), a wool trade knitter, born 1856 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. John George, a schoolboy, was born in 1874 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., he had one sibling, a sister, Agnes, a schoolgirl, born 1878 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at 11, Mill Bank Road, 33 Ct., Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. In April 1891 John was absent from the family home at 3, 33 Court, Mill Bank, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., in occupation were his parents, and siblings Agnes, a knitter, Walter, a schoolboy, born 1882 and Emily, a schoolgirl, born 1884, both siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. In March 1901 John was employed as a general labourer and was residing at Van (Movable) Market Street, Cannock, Staffs., together with his wife Louisa Poyser (nee Macdonald, married 1897), born 1877 in Birmingham, Warwks., and their children, Bertie, born 1897 in Birmingham, Warwks., and Rose, born 1901 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. His father now a bricklayers labourer, resided at 1, Turk’s Head Yard, Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., together with his siblings Agnes and Lily, born 1894 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a railway plate layer and was residing in the family home at 6 Court, 32, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., together with his wife Louisa and children, James (Bertie ?), a pipe yard labourer, Louisa, born 1903 and Violette, born 1905, the latter two children were both born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics.
On Friday April 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HEAVY LEICESTERSHIRE CASUALTIES.” – MEN WHO FELL AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. – OFFICIAL LISTS. – The official lists of casualties published during the past week contain the names of numerous representatives of the Leicestershire Regiment, several of whom will be recognised as belonging to Melton Mowbray and district. Reported from the base, 24th March.
KILLED.
Ball (11054), Private A., Barker (10872), Private A., Bates (12314), Private W., Betteridge (9239), Lance Corporal T., Bishop (11078), Private J. H., Bosher (9534), Private H., Bradley (6131), Lance Corporal A., Bradley (11776), Corporal G. J., Branson (9838), Private F., Brooks (12142), Private B., Brown (11185), Private H., Brown (8631), Private S. W., Carter (11125), Private W., Congreve (8282), Private F., Conway (5393), Private A., Cooke (9898), Private E. A., Corby (8485), Private W. H., Cornish (10358), Sergeant J., Cousins (6007), Private C. E., Cox (8829), Lance Corporal F. J., Croucher (8854), Private L., Cunnington (12090), Private H., Davis (9923), Private F., Elson (7096), Lance Corporal F. A., Emery (8269), Private W., Ferguson (9277), Private R. E., Garton (9939), Private E., Green (11801), Private G., Hall (12041), Private E., Hallam (6473), Private O., Hayes (8740), Drummer D., Helsdon (6021), Lance Corporal W., Hicks (10718), Private E., Hinckley (9160), Private L. J., Holt (11718), Private C. H., Holt (12093), Private W., Hopkinson (12383), Private J., Hyde (8199), Private J. W., Lake (9242), Private H., Latham (12468), Private W. S., Lee (11330), Private E. H., Lees (5329), Sergeant E., Littlejohn (8708), Private T., Locks (8961), Private L., McHugh (12700), Private A., Mansfield (9034), Private H., Morgan (8412), Private A., Moore (5661), Private F., Neat (5342), Sergeant J., Needham (6400), Private H. S., Peacock (11043), Private G., Potterton (8959), Private W., Poyser (12070), Private J. G., Randle (6164), Private L., Reynolds (10162), Private J. S., Robinson (8732), Private P., Rowley (9863), Private W., Sanders (9225), Private U., Sheffield (12078), Corporal J. D., Shipsides (6396), Private E., Skelcey (8825), Private R., Soden (11262). Private W. A., Tansley (7898), Lance Corporal W. J., Taylor (12412), Private F. W., Towndrow (5708), Lance Corporal E., Twigg (7466), Sergeant J., Vine (10426), Private W., Ward (10951), Private W. R., Wardle (6399), Private W., Wareham (12045), Private H., Warner (9285), Private A. H., Warner (9864), Private O., Watson (11669), Private J., White (9522), Private A., Woodford (9045), Private A. F.
The War Diary for the 12th March records. The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm. The War Diary for the 13th March records. Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 9th, 1915:

ASHBY SOLDIER KILLED

Mrs Louise Poyser, residing on The Green, Ashby, has been notified that her husband, Pte. J. G. Poyser, has been killed in action in France. The deceased was serving with his battalion, the 2nd Leicesters. He was a National Reservist and was called up soon after the commencement of the war. Besides the widow there are three children.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 21st, 1915

TWO ASHBY SOLDIERS KILLED

FELL AT NEUVE CHAPELLE

The death of two Ashby soldiers is reported. One is Private J. G. Poyser, who formerly belonged to the Worcester Regiment, in which he had served seven years. He was called up with the National Reserve and joined the 2nd Leicester Regiment. He was killed at Neuve Chapelle, on March 10th. He leaves a widow and three children, who reside at present at The Green, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. He was 41 years of age. Two of his brothers are serving in the 5th Leicesters.

The other is Lance-Corporal Timothy Betteridge, of A Company, 2nd Leicesters, who came with his regiment from India at the outbreak of war. He is 28 years of age, and had served five years with the colours. He was killed in the battle of Neuve Chapelle on March 10th. His mother resides at 17, Mill Bank, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 2017.