John Shortland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Shortland was born in 1887 at Sneinton, he was the son of Thomas a bootmaker and the late Charlotte Shortland née Belcher of 7 Selkirk Street, Carrington, Nottingham. Thomas was born in 1856 at Market Harborough, Charlotte Belcher was born in 1856 at Thringstone, Leicestershire, she died in 1906 aged 50 yrs, they were married 1875 their marriage was recorded in the Loughborough registration district, they had 5 children. In the 1911 census his widow father Thomas 54 yrs is a bootmaker, he is living with his daughter Maira Shortland 34 yrs a widow, at East Bridgford, In the 1911 census John has joined the Army he is living in India he is in barracks and serving with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters he is 24 yrs of age.
Quater master sergeant John Shortland enlisted at Nottingham whilst residing in Sherwood, he served with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters, he was awarded a distinguished conduct medal and was killed in action, 9th May 1915, age 28, in the attack on Rouges Bancs, France.Having no known grvae his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Panel 7.
Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged), 18 August 1915: 'Shortland. Killed in action May 9th, Company Quartermaster Serjeant J Shortland, 1st Sherwood Foresters. His fiancée.'
