John Plant
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Plant married Priscilla Swain at Bolsover St Mary on 15 November 1897. They had four children: Ivy born Bolsover January 1899, John William born Bolsover 1901, Annie born Mansfield Woodhouse 1905 and Samuel born Mansfield Woodhouse 1913. In 1901 John, a coal miner getter, and Priscilla were living at Town End, Bolsover, with their first child Ivy (2). Also in the household were two boarders, both coal miners. John and Priscilla had moved to Mansfield Woodhouse by the time their third child was born in 1905 and in 1911 were living at 12 Parker's Lane, with their three children, Ivy, John William (9) and Annie (5), and also a boarder, a coal miner. Their fourth child, Samuel, was born two years later. The family was still living at Parker;s Lane when John died in 1917. His widow was awarded a pension of 22/11d (22 shillings and 11 pence) for herself and two children (Annie and Samuel) with effect from 3 December 1917. Priscilla married Horace Jackson in 1918 and lived at 23 Burns Avenue Mansfield Woodhouse after the war. They were still living in Mansfield Woodhouse when the England & Wales Register was compiled in 1939. Priscilla died in 1956.
Initially enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters (57461) on 9 September 1914, but was discharged on 18 September 1914 as unlikely to become an efficient soldier. He re-enlisted with the Leicestershire Regiment on 1 August 1916, aged 39 years 180 days. John embarked for the BEF France on 20 December 1916, disembarking the following day. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, transferring to the 9th Battalion 'in the Field' on 8 January 1917. He was wounded in action on 3 May 1917, suffering gunshot wounds to the right leg and buttock, and was admitted to 44 Field Ambulance and then to a Casualty Clearing Station. On 4 May John was transferred to No.3 General Hospital at Le Treport and then medically evacuated to England on 14 May (SS St. Patrick). He was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, near Southampton, but died from complications on 27 May 1917. He was buried on 30 May with full military honours in Mansfield Woodhouse Cemetery, Nottinghamshire (grave ref. B. 4478).
CWGC: 'formerly (57461) Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment).' 'Husband of Priscilla Jackson (formerly Plant), of 23, Burns Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Not forgotten RIP' Mansfield Reporter, 1 June 1917: ‘Military Funeral at Mansfield Woodhouse. The remains of Private John Plant, late of 12, Parker’s-lane, were laid to rest with full military honours on Wednesday. He had been attached to the 9th Leicesters, having been transferred from the Notts and Derbys. These he joined on the 31st July last after having been rejected because of his sight. Prior to enlisting he had worked at the Sherwood Colliery, but had not been able to follow his employment for about four years owing to nystagmus. [a condition of uncontrolled eye movement]. He was well respected and the news of his death was received with regret. He was wounded on the 3rd May, and taken to Netley Hospital. Pneumonia set in, which caused his death on the 27th May. He leaves a widow and four children. The burial, which took place on Wednesday [30 May], was preceded by a service at the church, conducted by the Rev. ET Harcombe.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Personal possessions were returned to his widow at 12 Parker's Lane, in December 1917 and comprised: bag, cap badge, spoon, knife, pipe and tobacco pouch. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Priscilla was his sole legatee.
