Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Orgill, a coal miner, born 1847 in Newhall, Derbyshire and his wife Clara Orgill, (nee Brotherhood, married in the 2nd quarter of 1872 in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district) born 1852 in Markfield, Leicestershire. John Henry, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1881 in Markfield, his siblings were, James, a coal miner, born 1874, in Donnington, Leicestershire, Joseph, a coal miner, born 1875, Ada, a schoolgirl, born 1880, the latter two siblings were both born in Ibstock, Leicestershire, George, a schoolboy, born 1884, Wiliam, a schoolboy, born 1886, Lizzie, born 1888 and Emma, born 1890, the latter four siblings were all born in Markfield, in April 1891 the family home was at The Cliff, Markfield. In March 1901 John was employed as a colliery horse drive and was residing in the family home at Shaw Lane, Markfield, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Ann J., born 1878 in Ibstock, George, a quarry engine stoker, William a colliery pony driver, Emma, born 1880 and Mabel, born 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Markfield. John married Eliza Alice Toon in Syston, Leicestershire on the 30th December 1903, Eliza was born on the 24th January 1874, they had a
son Albert who was born on the 21st June 1906 in Markfield. The family emigrated to Australia, embarking on the 8th March 1907 aboard the SS Ortona for Brisbane, Queensland, John gave his occupation at that time as labourer. During their time in Australia two further children were born, Alice Irene, born 17th March 1908 and Thomas Victor, born 19th November 1912, both children were born in Mount Morgan, Queensland. It is unclear when John and his family returned to the United Kingdom. His widow never remarried and in 1939 was residing with her daughter Alice at 81, Westbourne Street, Leicester.
John was in the fighting line at the third Battle of Ypres, when he was taken prisoner on the 18th April 1918.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 11th December 1915 in Oakham. He gave his home address as Market Overton, Oakham, his age as 35 years and 90 days and his trade or calling as publican. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his next of kin as his wife, Eliza Alice Orgill of Market Overton, Oakham. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 121 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His physical development was described as good. After attestation on the 11/12/15 in Oakham he was transferred as Gunner, service number 174140 to the Army Reserve on the 12/11/15. Mobilized on the 21/9/16. Posted to the Depot 6/c/Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery at Newcastle on Tyne on the 25/9/16. Posted to No. 1 Depot, Royal Field Artillery on the 7/10/16. Transferred to 17th Reserve Brigade on the 21/11/16. Transferred to 76th Training Reserve Battalion as a Private and allotted the service number 52643 on the 25/11/16. On the 19/12/16 he was charged with the offence of overstaying his pass from midnight until reporting himself at 6pm 18/12/16, for which he was admonished. Transferred to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and allotted the service number of 36050 on the 11/1/17. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 12/1/17. Disembarked Boulogne on the 13/1/17. Joined the 25th Infantry Brigade Depot and posted to the 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on the 13/1/17. Joined the 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, in the field on the 16/1/17. Serving with the Battalion on the 9/2/17. Transferred to the 35th Prisoner of War Company on the 13/4/17. Rejoined the 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, in the field on the 16/4/17. Transferred to the Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers, in the field on the 5/11/17. Rejoined 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, in the field on the 6/4/18. Missing in action, in the field on the 18/4/18.
A copy of the entry from the Registry Office, Limburg, A/L, Prisoner of War Base, VIII Army Corps, dated 6th June 1919, Limburg A/L.
The official records here show that the under mentioned foreign soldier (Militarperson) has died.
1 Name and Chr, Name. ORGILL, John Henry.
2 Parents. Eliza Orgill, Oakham.
3 Date of Birth. 38 years.
4 Place of Birth. Oakham.
5 Last place of residence. Unknown.
6 Occupation. Landlord.
7 Belonging to the. British.
8 Regiment. 15 Loyal North Lanc. “B.”
9 Date of Death. 29-10-18.
10 Place of Death. Res. Hosp. II Aachen.
11 Cause of Death. Pneumonia, Influenza.
12 Place of burial. Germany Aachen, Grave No. 552.
Signed
Gottschalk
Kommandanteur of Prisoners of War
Main Camp Limburg a/L/
A translation of the Certificate of Death records the following:-
No. 3033.
Aix-la-Chapelle: 4th November, 1918.
The Chief Medical Officer, Reserve Hospital II, Hammonia Section, Aix-la-Chapelle, has notified that John Orgill. English soldier. Innkeeper. Aged 38. Religion Anglican. Resident at the Three Horseshoes, Market Overton. Born at Oakham. Husband of Eliza Alice Orgill. Names as well as occupation and residence of parents are unknown. Died at Aix-la-Chapelle, Reserve Hospital II, Hammonia Section on the 29th October, 1918 at 11 pm.
The Registrar
Signed for Linzen.
It is herby certified that the above extract is a true copy from the Chief Death Registrar in the Registry Office I at Aix-la-Chapelle I.
Aix-la-Chapelle I, 16th November, 1918.
The Registrar
Signed for Linzen.
Official Stamp here.
John’s widow and children were made the following awards of weekly pension, twenty six shillings and eight pence for the widow and twenty three shillings and six pence for the children, a total of fifty shillings and two pence, this was to commence on the 3rd November 1919.
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.
On Friday June 7th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MARKET OVERTON. – PRISONER OF WAR. – Another Market Overton soldier has been taken prisoner of war, in the person of Pte. John Henry Orgill, licensee of the “Three Horse Shoes.” He was attached to the 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, enlisting nearly two years ago, and he had been in France about seventeen months. His wife received official information last week that he was taken prisoner on April 18th, she also received a similar notification from her husband.