Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Clibbery, a railway engine driver, born 25th August 1861 in Coalville, Leicestershire and his wife Frances Clibbery (nee Pickering, married in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Swannington, Leicestershire. John Henry was born in 1888 in Coalville, his siblings were, Albert Edward, born 9th September 1887 and Benjamin, born 20th May 1894, both his siblings were born in Coalville, also residing in the family home was his cousin, Jane Pickering, born 1881 in Coalville, in March 1901 the family home was at Park Villas, Park Road, Coalville. In the 3rd quarter of 1901, in the Ashby de la Zouch district, John’s mother died aged 35. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at Park Villas, 28, Park Road, Coalville, residing there was his father, a Midland Railway Company locomotive driver, his stepmother Mary Ann Clibbery (nee Slatter, married in the 3rd quarter of 1906 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1874 in Chilton, Buckinghamshire, his sibling, Benjamin, a house painter, his step sister, Agnes Slatter, a weaver’s assistant, born 1896 in Leicester and his half-blood sibling, Hilda Mary, born 1906 in Coalville, John was serving as a Lance Corporal with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Talavera Barracks, Wellington Lines, Aldershot, Hampshire. John married Lucy Jackson on the 28th June 1913 Ashby de la Zouch Registry Office.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 12th November 1906 in Coalville, and was allotted the service number 8038. He gave his place of birth as Coalville, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as blacksmiths striker.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 13th November 1906 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 2 months, that he was 5 feet 9 inches in height, weighed 143 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37½ inches, his complexion was described as dark, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown and his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar 4 inches -?- below left nipple, large birth mark on left hip bone. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
After six months service and gymnastic course his height was 5-foot 9⅝ inches, his weight was 150 lbs and had a fully expanded chest measurement of 37½ inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John William Clibbery, brother (o) Albert Clibbery, brother (y) Benjamin Clibbery, 28, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 13/11/06.
Posted. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/11/06.
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Army Education. 27/12/06.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt., Shorncliffe. Pte. 5/2/07.
Awarded. 2nd Class Certificate of Army Education. 29/11/07.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 17/5/09.
Appointed Lance Corporal (paid). 19/11/09.
Admitted. To Shorncliffe Hospital, foreign body in left foot. 3/12/09.
Discharged. From Hospital. 7/12/09.
Aldershot. 5/1/10.
Admitted. To Command Hospital, Aldershot, Epididymitis. 25/6/10.
Discharged. From Hospital on 12/7/10.
Passed. Class of Instruction for Rank of Corporal. 19/9/11.
Promoted. Corporal. 6/11/11.
Passed. Class of Instruction for Regimental Transport Duties, Aldershot. 15/1/12.
Reverts to Private. At his own request. I certify that I did not revert to Private in order to escape trial by Court Martial, signed J. Clibbery. 17/5/12.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/6/12.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 11/11/13.
Mobilized. At Leicester. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 8/9/14.
Landed. St. Nazaire, France. 10/9/14.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 20/7/15.
Admitted. To 18th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 20/7/15.
Died. From wounds received in action. 21/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/11/06 – 8/9/14. 7 years 301 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 9/9/14 – 21/7/15. 315 days.
Total Service. 8 years 251 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 21st January 1916, John’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension of ten shillings, to commence on the 31st January 1916.
The War Diary records: 21 Jul-15 - Quiet till dusk when German’s began shelling rounds behind our lines heavily, one shell falling on my own transport on the move. Killed 1, 2 died of wounds, 9 wounded, 5 horses killed. Both sides shelled heavily till about 1.00am.
On Wednesday June 16th 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “COALVILLE SOLDIER WOUNDED.” – Pte. Ben Clibbery, of the 1st Leicester’s, writing on the 10th inst. to his father, Mr. John Clibbery, says that the last time he was in the trenches he was slightly wounded in the forearm, but he had since recovered. It was only a splinter of shrapnel shell, and made a small hole. Jack (his brother) was all right and in good health.
On Monday 26th July 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” - “Coalville Soldier Killed.” – Mr. John Clibbery, Midland Railway engine-driver of Park-road, Coalville, has received the following letter from Captain Mosse, of the 1st Leicester’s dated 21st July. – “I regret to have to tell you that last night the enemy burst a shell over our transport while taking rations to the trenches. Your son was amongst those hit. He was so severely wounded that he died as he was taken out of the ambulance into the hospital. It will, I hope, be some consolation to you to know that he suffered very little pain, as he was unconscious most of the time. He is buried in a military cemetery not far from here. He was always one of the most cheerful and hard working men, and exceedingly fond of his horses, both of which were killed with him. I understand that your son was married. Unfortunately I am unable to find Mrs. Clibbery’s address, so am unable to write to her. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss.”
The deceased who was called up as a reservist, was the eldest of two sons serving at the front, and before the war worked at Ellistown Collieries. His wife is living near London. Clibbery was well known at Wigston Barracks, where he was officers mess servant before going out. Mr. Clibbery has had a letter from his other son, Ben, (who had been erroneously reported killed) saying he was alright.
Mr. Ben Clibbery, writing from the trenches, under date July 21st to his father, asks him to bear up at the sad news, and says that Jack was hit in the neck and stomach, and lived only a few minutes, suffering no pain. The Germans were shelling some of our guns, and some of their shots going wide struck our transport, one or two men being killed outright, and Jack and some others wounded, as well as some horses killed, Jack was unconscious all the time. I have written to his wife to let her know the sad news. When we go out of the trenches I will find out where he is buried and will let you know as soon as I can.
On Friday 30th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” - “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – 9574 Private B. Clibbery and 11524 Lance-Corporal C. Smith, of the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, are reported from the Base, under date 13th July, to be wounded and missing.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 9th, 1914

“NEARLY ALWAYS RAINING”

Pte. Jack Clibbery of the Leicesters, now in France, writing to his father Mr J. Clibbery, Midland Railway engine driver, of Coalville, says the weather is very bad, and it is nearly always raining. His brother, Ben, is serving in the same battalion, but in a different company. The postcard is dated September 24th.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 30th 1915

Coalville Soldier Killed - By a Bursting Shell

Mr John Clibbery, Midland Railway engine-driver, of Park Road, Coalville, has received the following letter from Capt. Mosse, of the 1st Leicesters, dated 21st July:

“I regret to have to tell you that last night the enemy burst a shell over our transport while taking rations to the trenches. Your son was amongst those hit. He was so severely wounded that he died as he was taken out of the ambulance into the hospital. It will, I hope, be some consolation to you to know that he suffered very little pain, as he was unconscious most of the time. He is buried in a military cemetery not far from here. He was always one of the most cheerful and hard working men, and exceedingly fond of his horses, both of which were killed with him. I understand that your son was married. Unfortunately I am unable to find Mrs Clibbery’s address, so am unable to write to her. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss.”
The deceased, John Clibbery, who was called up as a reservist, was the elder of two sons serving at the front, and before the war worked at Ellistown Collieries. He was 27 years of age and married, with no family. His wife is living in Dover. Clibbery was well known at Wigston Barracks, where he was officers’ mess servant before going out.

Mr Clibbery has had a letter from his other son, Ben (who has been erroneously reported killed) saying he was alright. Mr Ben Clibbery, writing from ‘The Trenches,’ under date July 21st to his father, asks him to bear up at the sad news, and says that Jack was hit in the neck and stomach, and lived only a few minutes, suffering no pain. “The Germans were shelling some of our guns, and some of their shots going wide struck our transport, one or two men being killed outright, and Jack and some others wounded, as well as some horses killed. Jack was unconscious all the time. I have written to his wife to let her know the sad news. When we go out of the trenches I will find out where he is buried, and will let you know as soon as I can.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 5/9/2017