Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Townend a cotton spinner, born 1859 in Bacup, Lancashire and his wife Ann Townend (nee Swindell, married on the 18th April 1881 in the Parish Church of St. John the Apostle, Bonsall, Derbyshire), born 1863 in Bonsall, Derbyshire. John, a schoolboy was born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Belgrave, Leicester, his siblings were, Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1883 in Bonsall, William James, a schoolboy, born 1884, Sam, a schoolboy, born 1887, Mary Eleanor, born 1889 and Ernest, born 1891, the latter four siblings were all born in Belgrave, in April 1891 the family home was at 3, Duke Street, Belgrave, Wanlip, Leicestershire. In March 1901 John was employed as a worsted mill bobbin carrier and was residing in the family home at 25, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a spinning trade top weigher, his mother and siblings, Anne, a yarn wrapper, William, an apprentice bricklayer, Sam, a tan yard worker, Mary, Ernest, Frank, born 1893 and Alice, born 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Belgrave, and Sydney, born 1899 in Melton Mowbray. In the 3rd quarter of 1906, in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s father died aged 47. In April 1911 John was employed as a blast furnace worker and was residing in the family home at Gretton, Rutland together with his wife Minnie Townend (nee Atkin, married on the 20th June 1908 in the Register Office, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire by Registrar Geo. Rose and witnessed by Fred Swindell and Annie Townend), born 1887 in North Evington, Leicester, and their daughter Annie Catherine, born 6th March1910 in Melton Mowbray. There were a total of four children from the marriage, John, born on the 12th July 1908, in Melton Mowbray and who sadly died in the 4th quarter of 1908 in Melton Mowbray, Gertrude Ellen born May 11th 1912 and Edith Minnie, born on the 12th December 1913, the latter two children were both born in Uppingham, Rutland. His wife Minnie died of pulmonary and laryngeal tuberculosis and exhaustion on the 18th April 1915, at 9, Cromwell Road, Melton Mowbray, aged 28 years.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve. If the man completes his year’s service with the Colours while beyond the seas, he will be sent home, with all convenient speed, for transfer to the Army Reserve.) on the 22nd September 1904 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Belgrave, Leicester, his age as 18 years and 9 months and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he had served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his father John, mother Hannah, brothers, William Samuel, Ernest, Frank and Sidney and his sisters, Annie, Nellie and Alice, all of Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4½ inches in height, weighed 134 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he some indistinct tattoo marks on his right forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 23rd September 1904 in Leicester. A follow up medical examination after six months service and a gymnastics course recorded his height as 5 foot 5 inches his weight as 137 pounds and his chest measurement between 32½ and 34 inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 7484 on the 23/9/04. Posted to join the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 23/9/04. Transferred from the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/1/05. Transferred to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Colchester on the 24/1/05. Granted Messing Allowance on the 22/3/05. Posted with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to the Tower of London on the 5/7/05. Posted with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to Colchester on the 29/8/05. Transferred to Section “B” Army Reserve on the 21/9/07. Transferred to Section “A” Army Reserve on the 23/11/07. Mobilised and posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the ?/8/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 8/9/14. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance on the 18/11/15. Admitted to the 17th Casualty Clearing Station on the -?-. Admitted to the 1st C.D. on the -?-. Transferred from the 1st C.D. to Base on the -?-. Joined -?- on the -?-. -?- on the 19/5/16. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance on the ?/5/16. Admitted to the 16th Field Ambulance on the ?/5/16. Admitted to the 6th D.R.S. on the ?/5/16. Admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance on the ?/6/16. Returned to the Battalion on the 26/6/16. Reported sick with a sprained ankle on the -?-. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance on the 4/8/16. Transferred to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station on the 5/8/16. Admitted to the 14th General Hospital on the -?-. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 28/8/16. Transferred to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 31/8/16. Joined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/9/16. Admitted to the 15th Casualty Clearing Post suffering from a gunshot wound to the back on the 26/9/16. Awarded the Military Medal, for bravery in the field. Rejoined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/10/16. Appointed Lance Corporal, in the field on the 18/12/16. Appointed -?-, in the field on the 2/4/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 13/4/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 22/9/04 – 8/9/14, 9 years 352 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 9/9/14 – 13/4/17, 2 years 217 days. Total service 12 years 204 days. John was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, (London Gazette 27/10/16), the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s mother Ann Townend on the 12th July 1919, and was witnessed and signed by R. Brownlow, J.P., 38, Burton Road, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Wife of soldier, deceased. Children of soldier. Annie Catherine, born March 6th 1910 of 25, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray. Gertrude Ellen, born May 11th 1912 of 36, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray. Edith Minnie, of 13, Belvoir Street, Melton Mowbray. John’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday October 6th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PTE. J. TOWNSEND WOUNDED. Mrs. Townsend (sic), 23, Regent-street, received a postcard on Sunday morning form her son Pte. J. Townsend (sic), stating that he had been admitted to hospital wounded, and was going on well, but up to yesterday nothing had been heard as to the nature of his injuries. Pte. Townsend (sic) had served three years with the Leicester’s, and nine years on the reserve. When war broke out he was employed on the Midland Railway as a greaser, and was called up as a reservist. Up to last month he had served two years at the front without receiving a scratch. Last March he received the following card for distinguished service:- Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on the 14th March, 1916, near Ypres. I have received their report with very much pleasure. C. Row, Major General, commanding the 6th Division British Army in the Field, 19th March, 1916.” Private Townsend (sic) has three young children, but his wife has died since he has been on active service.
The War Diary records: 5-14 Apr-17 - The Battalion moved forward and occupied the outpost line on the HENIN – CROISILLES ROAD. “D” and “C” Companies held the front line of posts in the sunken roads T.17.d. and a. due north of CROISILLES. “B” Company were in support in the sunken road running through T.16.b., 17.a. and c. “A” Company in reserve in the sunken road T.21.d. Battalion Headquarters in the railway embankment T.20.d.80.25. The Battalion held this line until the night of the 12th/13th April, patrols were sent out continually at night and contact was established with the enemy. -?- in dispositions was made as follows:- On the 9th April Battalion Headquarters moved up to the sunken road in T.22.a..20.35. -?- then “A” Company from reserve relieved “D” Company in the front line as a consequence of heavy casualties suffered by “D” Company who lost 4 officers and 15 other ranks on the night of the 10th/11th April from enemy shell fire. 2nd Lieutenant W. H. BENNETT was killed and 2nd Lieutenant’s MESNY, DOUGLAS and UNDERWOOD (died of wounds 16th April) being wounded. On the morning of the 12th April “D” Company under Major T. L. WARNER carried out a minor enterprise in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and the 64th Infantry Brigade. The operation was to bomb down the HINDENBURG TRENCH and take up a line close to and on three sides of FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES. “D” Company continued the line of attack on the right of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT, who were to keep in touch with the line of the attack of the 64th Infantry Brigade, but were to remain outside the wire of the HINDENBURG LINE. The operations were held up, very early in the day owing to failure in supply of bombs. Major WARNER using every bit of cover afforded by the folds in the ground remained with “D” Company out in the open until midnight 12th/13th April, during which time the Company suffered casualties to 20 other ranks, 8 being killed. The same night the Battalion was relieved by the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Bivouacked in MOYENVILLE whence it marched to ADINFER and bivouacked on the 14th April.
On Friday December 8th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE LOCAL MILITARY MEDALISTS. – PRIVATE J. TOWNSEND, OF MELTON. (A photograph accompanied the article). The above is a portrait of Private J. Townsend of Melton, who was amongst the recent recipients of the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery. When his Colonel pinned on the medal he heartily congratulated Private Townsend on securing the coveted distinction and said the honour ought even to have been greater in face of the bravery he had displayed.
On Friday April 27th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. – LCE.-CORPL. J. TOWNEND. Mrs. Townend, 25, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, has been informed that her son, Lce.-Corpl. John Townend of the Leicester’s, has been killed in action. The sad news was contained in the following letter. “Dear Madam. It grieves me to write and tell you that your son, Lce.-Corpl. Townend, was killed in action. He suffered no pain, being killed instantly by a shell bursting quite close. He was a splendid fellow, and so well liked by his officers for his fearless conduct. We all offer our deepest sympathy. Words cannot express my feelings about him. He was simply splendid. Yours sincerely. L.W. Reeves, Captain.” Deceased who was 30 years of age, formerly worked on the Midland railway. He had previously served three years with the colours, and was called up as a reservist when war was declared. Except for a flesh wound, he had previously escaped injury. His wife died about two years ago, leaving three young children. Towards the end of last year Lce.-Corpl. Townend was awarded the Military Medal, and when his Colonel pinned on the medal he heartily congratulated him on securing the coveted distinction, and said the honour ought even been greater in face of the bravery he displayed.
On Friday April 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – TOWNEND. - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corpl. J. Townend, 1st Leicestershire Regt., killed in action, April 17th, 1917.
We think we see his smiling face
As he bade his last goodbye
And left his home for ever
In a foreign land to die
But the bitterest blow has yet to come
When the warriors all return
And we miss amongst the cheering crowd
The face of our dear son and brother
From Mother, Brother, Sisters and Children.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. – Mr. J. W. Townsend, 2, Park-rd, Melton Mowbray, desires to thank the large number of friends who have shown their sympathy to him in his bereavement and sorrow.