John Robert Bland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Robert was born about 1889, the eldest son of John Robert and Elizabeth Bland (nee Beeton). His father was born about 1861 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and his mother in Hyson Green, Nottingham. They had three sons, John Robert, William (b. 1891) and George Alfred (b. 1893) who were all born in Hyson Green. In 1901 John (38), a tramcar driver, and Elizabeth (37) were living at 7 Gauntley Street, Hyson Green, with their three boys, John (12), William (10) and George (7). Also in the household was George Beeton (71) Elizabeth's widowed father. At the time of the 1911 Census John Robert junior (22) a butcher, William (20) a clerk and George (17) a hosiery trimmer, were living at 8 Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Included in the household on the night of the census were Nellie Norman (27), John Leonard Norman (3) and Nellie Dexter (9) all of whom were described as cousins. John and Elizabeth were not named on the census form which was completed by William. However, none of the boys were described as the head of household but as 'sons' which suggests that their parents were still permanently resident at this address. No record has yet been found of John and Elizabeth's whereabouts on the night of the 1911 Census but John died later that year age 50 (death registered July/Aug/Sept, Nottingham). John Robert married Gertrude EF Edwards later that year (marriage registered J/A/S, Nottingham) and they were to have one child, a son. John was living in Sheffield when he enlisted in the army but when his death was reported in the local paper in August 1918 his wife and child were already living in Bulwell and his mother was also living in Bulwell on Broomhill Road. The CWGC record gives Gertrude's address as 3 Market Place, Bulwell, Nottingham. All three brothers died in 1917, George and William predeceasing their older brother. William served in the 1st Bn Rifle Brigade (S/6856 Rifleman) and was killed in action on 15 June 1917. George served in the Labour Corps (18019 Private, formerly 58765 York and Lancs Regiment) and died of wounds on 1 September 1917. His widowed mother married William Croome in 1918 (registered Nottingham Oct/Nov/Dec); they lived at 44 Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Elizabeth died in 1944 aged 80.
1st/7th Bn. He was reported missing on 6 October 1917 but his death was not confirmed until August the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 42 to 47 and 162). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged) 13 August 1918: 'Bland. Wounded and missing October 6th 1917 now reported dead. Private John Robert Bland, West Yorkshire Regiment, husband of Gertrude Bland of Bulwell, eldest and last surviving son of Elizabeth Bland of Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Wife and little son and mother.' Register of Soldiers' Effects: Legatee wife, Gertrude. Payments were made to his widow and child. His brother, William, who died in June 1917 had included his sister-in-law, Gertrude as a legatee along with his mother, Elizabeth.
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