Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late George Edward Bodfish a railway labourer, born 1857 in Brackley, Northamptonshire, and his widow Mary Jane Bodfish (nee Bray, married in the 1st quarter of 1880 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district) a housekeeper, born 1861 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. John Thomas, a schoolboy was born in the first quarter of 1886 in Basford, Nottinghamshire., his siblings were Mary Anne, a schoolgirl, born 1882 in Lincolnshire and George, born 1891 in Belgrave, Leicester, in April 1891 the family were living at 14, Mill Hill, Belgrave, Wanlip, Leicestershire, this being the home of George Warren, a general labourer, born 1859 in Denton, Lincolnshire. In March 1901 John was employed as a hotel assistant and was residing at the Cricket Ground Hotel, Grace Road, Leicester. In April 1911 John was employed as an ironstone labourer and was residing as a boarder at Wymondham, Rutland. John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve on the 7th October 1904 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 10 months, his trade or calling as labourer, and he confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother Mary, brother George and sister Annie all of Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4¼ inches in height, weighed 112 pounds and he had a chest measurement of 33 to 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was black and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on his left flank. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fir for Army service on the 8th October 1904 in Leicester. A follow up medical examination after six months service and a gymnastics course recorded his height as 5 foot 4½ inches, weight as 115 pounds and his chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 7507 on the 8/10/02. Transferred to join the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Colchester on the 24/1/05. Posted to the Tower of London on the 5/7/05. Posted to Colchester on the 24/8/05. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 21/9/06. Transferred to Section “B” Army Reserve on the 6/10/07. Mobilized on the 5/8/14. Killed in action, place not stated on the 7/11/14. John was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s sister Mary Kew of 5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on the 11th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Joseph E. -?-, J.P. in the County of Leicester of 16, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, deceased. Mother of soldier, deceased. Full blood brothers of soldier, nil. Half blood brothers of soldier, George Bodfish, age 28 of No.5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Kew, age 38 of 5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Half blood sisters of soldier, Mabel Bodfish, age 27 of 5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, Dorothy Kew and Gladys Kew both of 5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Uncles and Aunts by blood of soldier, Mrs Elizabeth Wilson of 3, Prospect Place, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. John’s surviving service documents are in a very 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: 7 Nov-14 - It was quiet until about 3.30pm, when a heavy bombardment was opened on “C” Company trenches, no infantry attack. Casualties were four men killed and six wounded. John would have been one of the four casualties recorded.
On Friday December 18th 1914 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION. – We regret that Pte. Thomas Bodfish, (of Melton Mowbray), 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on November 7th. Since reaching the age of seven years, he has been brought up by Mrs. Martin, of Bentley Square, Melton Mowbray, and some 11 years ago he enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment, serving three years with the colours, and nine years on the reserve, which period would have expired next October. On completing his time with the regulars he went to work for the Holwell Iron Co., remaining there until 12 months last March, when he obtained employment on the Midland Railway at Melton. On the outbreak of the war he was called upon to re-join his colours on August 5th, and went out with the British Expeditionary Force. The last letter was received from him on November 6th, dated November 1st in which he said he had been missing from his regiment for seven days, but he had then got back to it again, and was “in the pink,” and hoped to be home for Christmas. At the request of his guardian, Mr. R. W. Brownlow wrote to the War Office last week, making enquiries concerning Pte. Bodfish, and received a reply stating that as far as they knew he was still with his regiment. On Saturday morning however, a telegram was received announcing that he was killed in action on November 7th, or the day after his last letter was received. Pte. Bodfish was 29 years of age. In one of his latest letters deceased said. “Just a line to let you know that I am all right, and that I received the letter and smokes safely. I had very nearly forgotten what a fag was like, and I enjoyed them a treat. We are having some very decent weather, but it is a bit cold. I shan’t be sorry when I am home again. Please tell Dad to send me a box of matches, as I am a tee totaler.” He also expressed the wish that if anything should happen to him the following lines might be published:- He fought for his King and his Country. He fought for his native land. But it was the Lord’s wish to take him. Into the Better Land. In the very (sic) which he wrote, dated November 1st. Pte. Bodfish said:- I have been reported missing for a week, but I have found my way back again. There have been a parcel and a letter or two that have arrived during my absence, and they have been sent back, so perhaps one was from you. You can put your mind at rest as I am all right and in the pink of condition. I have not had much chance lately to drop you a line, but I will write as often as I possibly can. I might say I have had only one letter and no fags at all. I received a letter from you last night with three packets of fags, for which I thank you very much. We have had a rotten time lately. (censored) I guess it has appeared in the papers at home by now, (censored) I hope you will write every week as I like to receive a letter on this game, it cheers us up a lot, I can tell you. Remember me to Sarah. Tell her I shall be home very soon, at least I hope so. I have only had one letter from Mother. I think Tich is lucky to get his discharge, as they want everybody at present. I wish they would discharge me. Algy wishes to be remembered to you. Roll on a long time, I won’t half have a good holiday when I get home again. Last Sunday, the 25th, (censored) I got lost when we made a move, and have only just found my Regiment again, so if you see my name among the missing, you will know it is all right again now. I heard that Jack Townsend has got his discharge; and I have not seen him since I left Fermoy, good luck to him. I honestly expect this war to end as suddenly as it started. You might make a big Christmas pudding for Christmas, in case I should happen to arrive home by then. I hope I am home and it is all over by then. Remember me to Wag. I hope he is all right. Tell him he will have to look out, or else they will make him a soldier. Will you please enquire at Mother’s if they sent me a parcel, and tell them the reason it came back, or anyone else it might have been sent by. Also thank them very much for sending it to me. Good day I will close, remaining your loving cousin, Tom. Cheer up I shall be home soon.
On Saturday January 16th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – CASUALTIES IN THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are among those reported from General Headquarters under date 24th November last:- KILLED. Bodfish, Private J. T., 7507.