Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Towell, an agricultural labourer, born in 1837 in Empingham, Rutland (son of John Towell, 1808-1880 and Susannah Beeson, 1804-1868) and his wife Mary Ann Towell (nee Negus, married in the 3rd quarter of 1870 in Oakham, Rutland), born in the January quarter of 1850 in Ashton, Northamptonshire (daughter of Joseph Negus, 1830-1903 and Ann Head, 1830-1909). John Thomas, a schoolboy, was born on the 30th April 1875 in Empingham and baptised on the 23rd May 1875 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, his siblings were, Edward Henry, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1871 and baptised on the 9th July 1871 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, Emma Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1873 and baptised on the 13th April 1873 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, Lucy Ann, born in the January quarter of 1878 and baptised on the 3rd February 1878 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham and William Herbert, born in the April quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 23rd May 1880 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, all his siblings were born in Empingham, in April 1881 the family home was at Empingham. In April 1891 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing at Main Street, Empingham, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Edward, a farm labourer, Emma, a general servant, Herbert, a schoolboy, Ethel Sophia, a schoolgirl, born on the 13th March 1883 and baptised on the 8th April 1883 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, George Harry, born in the April quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 5th July 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham and Florence Kate, a schoolgirl, born on the 13th July 1887 and baptised on the 7th August 1887 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, the latter three siblings were all born in Empingham. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Empingham, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and brother George. John’s father died aged 65 years on the 19th September 1902 and was interred on the 20th September in Empingham. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Empingham, together with his widowed mother and brother George, a farm labourer.
John enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 20th August 1915 in Rockliffe, Ottawa, Ontario, and was allotted the service number 500482. He gave his place of birth as Empingham, near Stamford, Rutland, England, his date of birth as 30th April 1876, his next of kin was given as his mother, Mary Ann Towell, residing at Empingham, near Stamford, Rutland, his trade or calling as labourer and his marital status as unmarried.
He confirmed that he had previously served 8 years with the Royal Garrison Artillery and was presently serving with R.C.E. No. 775.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 39 years 3 months, height 5-feet 8 inches, chest measurement of between 39 and 41 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo marks both forearms. Flag and anchor left arm. Crest “Hands across the sea” left forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. Date 23rd August 1915. Place Rockliffe, Ottawa, Ontario.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Various documents enclosed within his service record.
Taken on strength of Canadian Engineers. Shorncliffe. 17/11/15.
Transferred. To 2nd Army Corps, Canadian Engineers. France. 16/1/16.
Died. 15/4/16.
Found dead in billets, morning of 15/4/16. Death ascertained as syncope.
Buried in the Military Cemetery, Reninghelst, France, wooden cross erected with all particulars of deceased inscribed.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC NOTE: The village of Reninghelst (now Reningelst) was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war and was sufficiently far from the front line to provide a suitable station for field ambulances. The earliest burials took place in the Churchyard, but in November 1915, the New Military Cemetery was opened. It remained in use until September 1918. There are now 798 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
On Friday 5th, May 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – EMPINGHAM. – SOLDIER’S DEATH. – Mrs. W. Towell has received the sad news from the War Office that her son, sapper J. T. Towell, of the Canadian Engineers, was found dead in his billet on the 15th April. Deceased came over from Canada in the early part of the war. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Towell, who is a widow.
On Friday 19th, May 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – EMPINGHAM. – Mrs. W. Towell has heard from the War Office that her son, sapper J. T. Towell, was found dead in bed on the morning of April 15. Mrs. Towell has also had a sympathetic letter from Major-General Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence, Ottawa.
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