Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Hutchinson Proudman, a farm servant, born 1864 in Thrussington, Leicestershire and his wife Emma Proudman (nee Johnson, married in the 4th quarter of 1885 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Gaddesby, Leicestershire. John Willie Johnson, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Gaddesby, his siblings were, Eliza Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1886 and Bertie, a schoolboy, born 1888, the latter two siblings were both born in Gaddesby, and Harry, born 1890 in Frisby on the Wreake, in April 1891 the family home was at Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire. In March 1901 John was employed as a general farm servant and was residing in the family home at Old Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake, together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Eliza, Harry, a schoolboy, Mary Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1892 in Frisby on the Wreake, Ethel Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1894 in Thrussington, Ruth, a schoolgirl, born 1896, Violet, born 1898 and Jane Danzey, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Frisby on the Wreake. In April 1911 John was employed as a general farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Frisby on the Wreake, together with his father a general farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry, a general farm labourer, Ethel, a hosiery shop worker, Ruth, a general domestic servant Violet, Jane, Thomas, born 1904, Rose, born 1906 and George, born 1909, the latter three siblings were all born in Frisby on the Wreake.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 1st September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Gaddesby, Leicestershire, his age as 30 years and 12 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his current home address as Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, William Proudman and his mother Emma Proudman, both of Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 146 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 1st September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 12116 on the 1/9/14. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Aldershot, on the 5/9/14. Admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital on the 7/3/15. Discharged from Tidworth Military Hospital on the 20/3/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Killed in action, in the field on the 19/9/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 1/9/14 – 28/7/15, 333 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 19/9/16, 1 year 53 days. Total service 2 years 20 days. John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s mother E. Proudman on the 14th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. Wright, Minister on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, William H. Proudman of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. Mother of soldier, Emma Proudman of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. Full blood brothers of soldier, Bertie Proudman, age 31 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. Harry Proudman, age 29 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. Thomas Proudman, age 15 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. Full blood sisters of soldier, E. M. Proudman, age 27 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. E. E. Proudman, age 25 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. R. A. Proudman, age 23 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. V. Proudman, age 20 of Mill House, Frisby on the Wreake. John’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 17-25 Sep-16 - MONTAUBAN. The Battalion remained in bivouacs and was employed in finding working parties in connection with preparing for the attack on GUEDECOURT. The casualties were all caused by shell fire, the work consisting of digging trenches and repairing roads and much of this was necessarily carried out under shell fire. The weather during this period was uncertain and the state of the ground led to a postponement of objectives.
On Friday October 6th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – FRISBY SOLDIER KILLED. Pte. John Proudman, Leicester’s, was killed in action on September 19th. Deceased who was 32 years of age, was eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Proudman, of the Mill House, Frisby, and was a general favourite in the village. He enlisted on the outbreak of the war, and went to the front a few months ago. In a letter received by his parents, dated September 20th, his platoon commander says:- “I have lost one of the best men in the platoon, he was a willing worker, and a most obedient man. The remainder of the platoon join me in sympathy in your great loss.” A second son Harry Proudman, is serving with the forces in France.
On Friday October 27th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment. Some of which have already been notified from other sources, from Tuesday’s list. All are privates except where otherwise shown. KILLED. – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Proudman, 12116 J. W. (Frisby).
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. PROUDMAN. – In fond and loving memory of Pte. Jack Proudman, 7th Leicester’s, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Proudman, the Mill House, Frisby, who was killed in action on Sept. 18th, 1916.
Sleep on dear Jack, your duty done.
For England you did your best.
For those who loved you most in life.
Do miss you most in death.
From his loving Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers.