Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Gadsby, a lime stone quarryman, born 1858 in Breedon on the Hill, Leics., and his wife, Elizabeth Gadsby (nee Ridgeway, married 1888), born 1866 in Swepstone, Leics. John was born in 1892 in Breedon on the Hill, Leics., his siblings were, William, born 1889, Mary, born 1893, Sarah, born 1895, Alice, born 1897 and Rose, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Breedon on the Hill, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Melbourne Road, Breedon on the Hill, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Breedon on the Hill, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Alice, Rose, Jane, born 1904, Lizzie, born 1902 and Clara, born 1907, the latter three siblings were all born in Breedon on the Hill, Leics.
On Friday June 11th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – LOCAL TERRITORIAL’S KILLED AND WOUNDED. –
The following casualties in the 4th Battalion (T.F.) Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 20th May:-
KILLED.
Greasley, 3018, Private S., Jacques, 113, Sergeant J., Lovett, 2453, Private G. W., Markham, 1470, Private J., Walker, 2039, Private E.
WOUNDED.
Bolus, 2318, Sergeant G., Cope, 1327, Private A. A., Hufton, 3281, Private W., Willis, 1915, Private H.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS WOUNDED.
The following casualties in the 4th Battalion (T.F.) Leicestershire Regiment are reported from general Headquarters, under date 1st June:-
WOUNDED.
Abell, Lieut. J. G., Faire, Captain R. A.
LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT, 2nd BATTALION.
KILLED.
Jordan, 11626, Private F., Mawby, 9870, Private E. W.
WOUNDED.
Burdett, 9804, Private J. E., Kemp, 12819, Private A., Porter, 1898, Private B.
KILLED.
1st Battalion.
Dodd, 10188, Private F. A., Spurr, 6826, Private J.
5th Battalion.
Gadsby, 1716, Private J., Robinson, 1501, Private A.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
4th Battalion (T.F.).
Budworth, 2896, Private W., Hawksworth, 1380, Private W., Jacobs, 1502, Private C., Scrivens, 3376, Private E. A., Wesson, 1765, Private A.
WOUNDED.
1st Battalion.
Allcroft, 9435, Private J. L., Bateman, 10543, Private W., Chamberlain, 11971, Private F., Cook, 8409, Private C., Cook, 7594, Private J., Dyer, 10172, Private W., Heath, 7512, Private R., Hughes, 10778, Private W., Jones, 9621, Private H., Kent, 10438, Private I., Martin, 6613, Private F., Newcombe, 9655, Private T., Oliver, 7179, Private P., Parker, 10193, Private C., Simpson, 7710, Private A., Smith, 8021, Lance Sergeant A., Warrington, 11449, Private W., West, 5346, Sergeant F., Wilson, 9724, Private T.
5th Battalion (T.F.).
Bale, 1701, Private J. B., Garner, 2261, Private J. E., Holland, 1447, Private H., Monk, 153, Corporal S., Palmer, 465, Company Segeant Major G., Richardson, 2194, Lance Corporal E. E. R., Robinson, 2501, Private J. H., Rogers, 1435, Private J. A., Shuttleworth, 1979, Private W., Smith, 3291, Private S., Stevenson, 2295, Private J. W., Sturgess, 1263, Private T. W., Wadd, 2296, Private G., Wilson, 1543, Private W.
SUFFERING FROM GAS POISONING.
1st Battalion.
Chilvers, 8494, Private G.
MISSING.
4th Battalion (T.F.).
Iliffe, 2444, Private A.
The War Diary for today records. Trenches 14 and 18 relieved by the SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT and trench E.4 by the 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT as a result of Divisional Order apportioning a fresh sector of trenches. Battn proceeded back to hutments. Casualties 3 killed and 12 wounded.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 28th, 1915

BREEDON SOLDIER KILLED

News has been received of the death of John Gadsby, of the 5th Leicesters. He was shot dead on leaving the trenches. This is the first death or casualty among the 21 who are serving with the colours from this village, although Gadsby’s brother is in a hospital at the front with a sprained ankle. This weeks second pound of tobacco and chocolates has been sent to the Breedon soldiers by order of the Parish Council.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 7/10/2017