Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary for today records. BOYELLES. The Battalion was bivouacked in S.18.b. north of the village on the night of the 1st/2nd May 1917, the 110th Infantry Brigade took over the positions of the 64th Infantry Brigade north of HINDENBURG support line. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT forming the right assaulting Battalion was in BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c. and d. to road in O.31.c. The 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT formed the left assaulting Battalion and held CURTAIN TRENCH from road in O.31.c to O.31.b. 0.3. The 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was in support in N.35.a., and the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in reserve in N.34.b.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
John Thomas Grant was born in 1894 in Illston on the Hill, Leicestershire.
He was the son of Mr George.H Grant born in 1870 in Great Glen, Leicester, and his wife Elizabeth. Ann nee Taylor, born 1870 in Illston, Leicestershire. In 1911 John lived with his parents and siblings at the Crescent, Bardon Hill, Leics; at 18 he was a Labourer in the Stone Quarry. All siblings were born in Illston, Leics: Fred born 1891 Henry Victor 1896 a Drill Carrier in the Stone Quarry, Robert William 1898, Florence P 1901, Henrietta 1904, Grace A 1905. They lived with their maternal Grand Mother Ann Taylor (1829 Woodhouse, Leicestershire) at No 1 The Crescent, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leicestershire.
John Thomas married Ellen Lock on 27/01/1913 Hugglescote, they had a boy: George Charles born 27th May 1914 in Bardon Hill. They lived at 1 The Crescent in Bardon Hill where he was working as a Quarryman at the Bardon Quarry.
John Thomas enlisted in the Army in Coalville, Leicestershire, he was 20 and 315 days ; the 1st September 1914 He was sent to France on the 29th July 1915.
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Submitted by F. Tilley 2016


Coalville Times article - Friday May 11th, 1917

According to information received through unofficial channels, one of the three soldier sons of Mr G. H. Grant, time-keeper at Messrs. Ellis and Everard’s quarry, Bardon Hill, was killed in action on May 1st. The deceased soldier, Lance-Corporal John Thomas Grant, was a machine-gunner in the Leicestershire Regiment, was 26 years of age, and had been about two years in France, prior to which he worked at the quarry. He was nephew to the quarry foreman, Mr R. B. Grant. His two brothers are both serving in France.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 18th, 1917

The death of Lance-Corporal J. T. Grant of Bardon Hill, reported in our last issue, is confirmed by a letter which the widow has received from the deceased’s officer, who writes as follows, “I very much regret that it has fallen to my lot to inform you that your husband was killed in action on May 1st. He was one of my best N.C.O.’s always cheerful and willing, and we shall miss him very much in the transport. Your husband was buried yesterday (May 1st) and as soon as I can get full particulars I will write you again. Again expressing my deepest sympathy in your great loss, believe me,” etc.

Lance-Corporal Grant was attached to a Machine-gun section of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was 23 years of age, and had been about two years in France, formerly working at the Bardon Hill Quarry. His last letter to his wife was dated April 15th, in which he acknowledged the receipt of a letter and parcel. The weather was awful, raining every day, but they tried to keep smiling. He wished to be remembered to all friends, and expressed the hope that he would soon see his wife and baby again. A memorial service is to be held on Sunday evening.

THANKS

The widow and parents of the late Lance-Corporal J. T. Grant, Machine-Gun Section, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action on May 1st, desire to thank friends most sincerely for the many kind expressions of sympathy extended to them in their bereavement.

Bardon Hill.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 25th, 1917

BARDON HILL

MEMORIAL SERVICE

There was a large congregation at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday evening, when a service was held to the memory of Lance-Corporal J. T. Grant and Pte. J. Kingham, of the Leicester Regiment. The service was taken by the Rev. R. P. Farrow. Suitable hymns were sung, and two buglers sounded “The Last Post”.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 3rd, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Corporal John Thomas Grant, aged 23, killed in action May 1st, 1917, 8th Leicester Regiment.

“We pictured his safe returning,
And longed to clasp his hand.
But death has postponed that meeting,
‘Twill be in a better land.”

“He nobly answered Duty’s call;
He gave his life for one and all.”

From his loving Wife and little son, George; Mother, Father, Sisters; Brothers Fred, Victor and Bob in France.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 2nd, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever-loving remembrance of our dear son, Lance-Corporal J. T. Grant, killed in action, May 1st, 1917.

“He nobly did his duty.”

From his Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Wife and little son.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 19/10/2017