John Fred Breedon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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John Fred was born on 7th October 1892 in Lowdham, he was christened on 6th November 1892 at St Mary's Church Lowdham and was the son of Charles a general carter and Eliza Breedon née Gratton of Prospect Villas Lowdham . His father Charles was born 1862 in Lowdham, his mother Eliza Gratton was born in 1861 in Fulwood, they were married in St Mary's Church Lowdham on 7th December 1886. they had 5 children, Arrol Gratton b1884 Lowdham, Amos Gratton b1886 Caythorpe, John Fred b1892 Lowdham, Mabel b1895 Lowdham, and Harry b1897 Lowdham, (however it should be noted Arrol and Amos have the name Gratton and may have been born to Eliza prior to her marriage to Charles but could still be his children.) In the 1911 census the family are shown living in Lowdham , and are shown as Charles 48 yrs head of the family and a carter, he is living with his wife Eliza 50 yrs and two of their children , Mabel 15 yrs and Harry 13 yrs a carters assistant. In the same census we find that John has left the family home and is living at Hopewell Road, Draycott, he is 19 yrs of age and single he was a general servant living with his employer John Raines 51 yrs a farmer and his family He married his wife Marian Elizabeth Travers on 24th May 1915 at St Chads Church, Wilne , Derbys and they lived at 36 Derby Road, Draycott Following his death his widow Marian received a letter from the ministry of pensions dated 1st August 1917 informing her she would be receiving a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week with effect from 6th August 1917. His widow Marian later re married in 1925 to a Bernard Bush, they lived in Derby
Private John Fred Breedon enlisted in Long Eaton Derbyshire on 11th December 1915, the following day he was placed into the reserves. He gave his age as 23 yrs and 2 moths, his occupation as that of a scavenger and his residence as 36 Derby Road, Draycott, Derbyshire, his next of kin was his wife Marian Elizabeth Breedon of the same address. He was mobilised for war on 26th April 1916 and underwent his training until on 16th September 1916 he was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He embarked on 19th September 1916 at Devonport and sailed for the Mediterranean, disembarking at Basra on 15th October 1916. He was killed in action on 25th January 1917 and is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. grave reference 17.C.15
Two of his brothers served during the Great War , Amos Gratton, he served with the Australian Army and was killed in action on 7th October 1917 in France he has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres. Harry he served with 15th battalion Sherwood Foresters and was also died ,dying of wounds on 3rd November 1917, he is buried in Dozingham Military Cemetery, Blegium.killed in action Death notice published 10th February 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BREEDON. – Killed in action, January 25th, 1917, Private John Fred Breedon, North Staffordshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Breedon, Lowdham. His duty nobly done. - From his loving wife, mother, father, brothers, and sisters.” In memoriam published 25th January 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BREEDON. – In loving memory of Pte. John Fred Breedon, North Staffs. Regt., of Lowdham, killed in action January 25th, 1917. A day of remembrance sad to recall. Gone, but not forgotten. – Loving wife, mother, father, brothers, and sisters.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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