Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Barzillai Deacon, an agricultural labourer, born in the April quarter of 1864 in Fleckney, Leicestershire (son of Job Deacon, 1837-1909 and Emma Burton, 1835) and his wife Mary Ann Deacon (nee Sharman, formerly Iliffe, married in the October quarter of 1894 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born on the 31st March 1861 in Fleckney (daughter of Nicholas Sharman, 1816 and Ann Grant, 1821). John Henry was born in the July quarter of 1895 in Fleckney, his siblings were, William Nicholas, born in the July quarter of 1896, George Arthur R., born on the 30th September 1897, Thomas Leonard, born on the 26th February 1899 and Winifred Mary, born on the 28th December 1900 and half-blood siblings, Laura Annie Iliffe, a machinist, born on the 26th January 1883, Margaret Emily Iliffe, a machinist, born on the 24th March 1885 and Archibald James M. Iliffe, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 24th December 1888, all his siblings were born in Fleckney, in March 1901 the family home was at Fen Yard, Arnesby Road, Fleckney.
In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at 24, Kings Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, residing there was his mother and siblings, William, an oil dealer, George, a rubber trade worker, Leonard, a schoolboy, Winifred, a schoolgirl and Gladys Emma, a schoolgirl, born on the 29th May 1904 in Fleckney.
John’s younger brother William Nicholas, fell in action on the 24th May 1916.
FAMILY NOTE: John’s mother had previously married Hubert Mattock Iliffe on the 13th September 1880 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, Hubert was born in the July quarter of 1859 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire and baptised on the 28th August 1859 in St. Wilfred’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp. Hubert died aged 26 years in August 1885 in Fleckney and was interred on the 22nd August in Fleckney Churchyard, he was the son of Simeon Iliffe, 1830-1910 and Emma Mattock, 1826-1903.
John also had two further half-blood siblings, Alice Maud Emma Iliff (Iliffe), born in the January quarter of 1881 in Fleckney and baptised on the 5th June 1881 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney and Edith Ann Iliff (Iliffe), born in the January quarter of 1882 in Fleckney and baptised on the 31st January 1882 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Fleckney, and who died in Fleckney, aged 3 weeks in February 1882 and was interred on the 8th February in Fleckney Churchyard.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 30th June 1913 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 9721. He gave his place of birth as Fleckney, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 5 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as brickyard labourer.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. – Special Reserve.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 5 months, height 5-feet 2¾ inches weight 111 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo 5 dots left forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 27th June 1913. Place -?-.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Henry Deacon, mother Mary Deacon, 24, Kings Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Brother’s Archie Iliffe, Leicestershire Regiment, William, Arthur and Leonard with parents.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 30/6/13.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire regt. Pte. 30/6/13.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 18/7/13.
Killed in action. In the Field. 23/10/14.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 30/6/13 – 8/9/14. 1 year 71 days.
France. 9/9/14 – 23/10/14. 45 days.
Total Service. 1 year 116 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 23 Oct-14 - (Friday) At the CHEMICAL FACTORY at RUE DU BOIS, they held the trenches and were attacked at dawn and again at 4.30pm. Both attacks were beaten off, they were heavily shelled all day. Casualties were Captain GRUCHY killed, Lieutenant BAYFIELD wounded, six other ranks were killed and twenty-one were wounded.
On Friday November 27th 1914, The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Private J. Deacon, of the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed in action. He was a native of Fleckney.
On Saturday January 9th 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOSSES IN THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.” – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are announced. – KILLED. Private J. Deacon.
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