John James Thurston

Rank 
Private
Regiment 
North Staffordshire Regiment
Date of death 
21 March 1918
Age of death 
40
Address 
5 Hawkesworth Terrace
Smeaton Road
Woodford Bridge
Woodford
Postcode Unknown
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

Born in 1877 at Kensington, son of John (Cab Proprietor) and Clara Thurston. 1891: With his family at 1 Carlton Mews, Fulham. 1901: A Harness Maker, still with his family at 1 Carlton Mews. In 1905 he married Louisa Edith Taylor. 1911: A Saddler for a Harness Maker, with his wife and children William and Marjorie at 5 Hawkesworth Terrace, Smeaton Road, Woodford Bridge. The family home was later 10 Waller's Cottages, Woodford Bridge

He enlisted at St Paul’s Churchyard, serving initially with the Norfolk Regiment before moving to 2/6 North Staffordshire.

On 21st March 1918 the Battalion was in the front line at Bullecourt where they faced the overwhelming attack that was “Operation Michael” of the German Spring Offensive. Their positions were overrun, and the Commanding Officer was among those never found. The comment was subsequently made that “there was hardly a men left.” The register of effects shows that John Thurston died as a “P of W” (Prisoner of War) at Ecoust on 21st March 1918.

Ecoust St Main which had been captured by 8 & 9 Devonshires on 2th April 1917, was lost to the Germans once again on 21st March 1918. This suggests that John was wounded and captured during the German advance, and died from his injuries the same day while in captivity. His remains were not recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Sources:

Ancestry.com