John William Bacon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John (Jack) William was the son of George Henry and Mary Ann Bacon (née Coulby, also Colby or Colbey). His father George Henry was born in 1861 at Doncaster, the son of Thomas, a railway labourer, and Sarah Bacon, both of whom were born in North Collingham. The family was living in Doncaster in 1861 but the couple's two daughters, including the youngest who was aged one year, had been born in North Collingham. They had returned to North Collingham by 1871 when they were living in Laughlands Yard, Low Street. His mother Mary Ann was the daughter of Ann Colbey (sic) who was also born in North Collingham and at the time of the 1871 Census was living on Low Street with her three children, of whom Mary, aged 4, was the eldest. George Henry and Mary Ann were married in 1890 and had at least six children: Thomas Henry birth registered 1892 (J/F/M), John William b. 1894, Florence Jane b. 1898 and Sarah Ann b. 1899 who were born in Newark, George b. Ordsell 1901 and Arthur b. Collingham 1905. In 1901, George, a railway platelayer, and Mary were living on Ordsall Common, East Retford, with their four children Thomas, John, Florence and Sarah. Their third son, George, was born in Ordsall later that year. George Henry died in 1904 (reg. J/A/S Newark). The sixth child, Arthur, was born the following year in North Collingham. The widowed Mary Ann was still living in Collingham in 1911 along with her six children, Thomas, a baker and confectioner, John a baker's apprentice, Florence, Sarah, George and Arthur. Mary Ann died in North Collingham in March 1939. Her four youngest children survived her.
11th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps John William Bacon enlisted on 8th September 1914 at Derby. He gave his age as 20 yrs and 71 days, occupation railway porter. He named his mother Mary Bacon, Low Street, Collingham, as his next of kin. John was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and joined at Winchester on 9 September, posted 11 September for training. He passed examination as a 2nd Class signaller on 27 March 1915, passed the 'Buzzer Test' 1st Class on 19 June then qualifying as a 1st Class Signaller on 3 July 1916 while serving with the BEF France. He embarked for the BEF France on 21 July 1915, disembarking 22 July 1915 He was killed by shell fire on 3rd September 1916. He has known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B). Service: Home 8 September 1914-20 July 1915 (316 days). BEF France 21 July 1915-3 September 1916 (1 year 46 days). Total 1 year 362 days. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother Thomas Henry Bacon enlisted on 9th September 1914 at Leeds. He was aged 22 years 166 days (1 March 1892), 5' 3" tall and weighed 119 lbs. Occupation porter. He named his mother Mary Ann Bacon of Low Street, North Collingham, as his next of kin. Thomas was posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment and joined at the depot in Lincoln on 11 September 1914. He was posted to the 2nd battalion on 24 April 1915 and embarked for BEF France the same day. Promoted lance corporal on 23 June 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal on 9 July 1917. He was killed in action on 31 July 1917 and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 21). (See record on this Roll of Honour) Newark Advertiser, 20 September 1916 (photographs): ‘The Fallen Brave. Collingham Chums Killled. The village of Collingham has lost two of its sons in the war, the young heroes being Pte Frank Golland and Jack Bacon whose homes are close together in Collingham. Private J Bacon. Mrs Bacon has received a letter from a former comrade stating that her son, Pte J Bacon, was killed in action on September 3rd. Deceased, who was 22 years of age, was a choir boy in North Collingham Church for six years and was for some time engaged as a porter at Collingham Station. At the time war broke out he was at Trent Station, and enlisted straight away in the King’s Royal Rifles. He had been out in France for 14 months. His comrade wrote of his: ‘He was a good lad, and did his bit without complaint. I wish there were more like him. In all the letters he wrote home to his widowed mother there was never one work of complaint at the hardships he had to undergo. [Report on death of Pte Golland from wounds received in action]' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Newark Advertiser, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 September 1917: ‘Bacon. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corpl. Jack Bacon, King’s Royal Rifles, Killed Sept. 3rd. 1916. His eyes are closed, he is now at rest, Far away from those who loved him best; He has passed away, his race is run, At peace with God. Thy will be done. It’s sweet to think we’ll meet again When all our parting’s o’er; We’ll clasp his hand in the better land And meet to part no more. From his sorrowing mother, sisters and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Newark Advertiser, 8 March 1939: ‘News from the Villages. Collingham. Death of Mrs Bacon. On Friday morning the death occurred of Mrs Mary Anne (sic) Bacon, in her 73rd year. She is survived by two sons and two daughters. She lost two sons in France in the Great War. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
