Rushden Research Group: obituary J Sawford 1917

Private John Sawford

28016 East Yorkshire Regiment

Son of Mr John T and Mrs Mary A Sawford

Aged 25 years

Died 9^th April 1917

Commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Bay 4 and 5.

Born and resided at Irchester.

Rushden Echo, 25^th May 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Wounded and Missing—Official notification has been received that Pte. John Sawford, East Yorks Regt., son of Mr. T. Sawford, is “wounded and missing, April 9^th 1917.” He was seen to fall wounded about 7.30a.m. on that day, but in the counter-attack the British had to retire so that the Germans passed over the ground where Pte. Sawford was lying, and when later, the British recovered the ground there was no sign of him. He joined the Army in November 1915 being placed with the Northants Regt., and later was transferred to the East Yorks Regt.

Rushden Argus, 15^th March 1918

Missing for a year - Official News of the Death of Irchester Soldier

Although reported missing since April 9^th 1917, official news of the death of Pte. John Sawford (East Yorks Regt., transferred from the Northants Regt.) was not received until a day or so ago. He was the youngest son of Mr. T. Sawford, Farndish-road, Irchester. Before enlisting he was in the employ of Mr. G. E. James, farmer, of Irchester Grange. The deceased joined up in 1916, and at the time of his death was 26 years of age.

Irchester War Memorial