Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Paling, a farmer, born 1849 in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Paling (nee Burdett, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), born 1853 in Little Stretton, Leicestershire. John Charles was born in the 1st quarter of 1889 in Kings Norton, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Ernest Arthur, born 1881 at Illston on the Hill, Leicestershire, Florence Annie, born 1883 and Thomas Henry, born 1885, the latter two siblings were both born at Houghton on the Hill, in April 1891 the family home was at Three Gates, Kings Norton. In March 1901 John was employed as a general worker and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Houghton on the Hill together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Ernest Arthur, a general worker, Florence Annie, a general worker and Thomas Henry, a general worker. In April 1911 John was employed working on the family farm and was residing at Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Ernest, working on the family farm, Thomas, working on the family farm and Florence.
John enlisted into the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial Force) to serve a 4 year engagement on the 30th January 1912 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Kings Norton, Leicestershire and his age as 22 years and 2 months. He gave his trade or calling as farmer, and his employer as his father. His home address was Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his father, Thomas Paling of Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for service with the Territorial Force. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 1272 on the 31/1/12. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Embarked with the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 26/2/15. Landed at Le Havre, France on the 27/2/15. Killed in action, in the field on the 31/7/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, Melton Mowbray, 31/1/12 – 27/2/15, 3 years 28 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 31/7/15, 154 days. Total service 3 years 182 days. The following information was provided on the 6th November 1919 by John’s mother M. A. Paling and witnessed by John T. Bell, of Thorpe Arnold Vicarage, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, a Clerk in Holy Orders and Vicar on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, Thomas Paling. Mother of soldier, Mary Ann Paling, both of Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Ernest Arthur Paling and Thomas Henry Paling, both of Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Florence Annie Paling of Thorpe Arnold Lodge, Melton Mowbray. 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. John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals.
The War Diary records: 31 July-15 - MAPLE COPSE. At 2.00am enemy shelled wood with universal shell and again at 8.00am, 4.00pm and 7.00pm. Battn found carrying parties of grenades, rations etc., for 7th and 8th Battn’s SHERWOOD FORESTERS.
On Friday August 6th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE HEAVY TERRITORIAL LOSSES.” – ADDITIONAL CASUALTIES. – FURTHER DETAILS. No official information is yet forthcoming concerning the heavy losses sustained by the Melton Mowbray Territorials through the explosion of a mine near the parapet of a trench which they were occupying on Friday, July 23rd, but from further particulars to hand it appears that some 14 of the Terriers, mostly belonging to Melton, lost their lives on that occasion. Mrs. Simpson, of 30, Goodriche Street, Melton Mowbray, whose husband, Private Walter Simpson, was one of those killed, has this week received the following letter from Quartermaster Sergt. W. Wade:- “Dear Mrs. Simpson, - It is with the deepest regret I am writing to inform you of your husband’s death. I expect you have heard before now. It was a sad day for the Melton Company. Walter was a true British soldier; he died doing his duty for his country. I think there were 13 more men got killed at the same time, most of them from Melton. He is very much missed by his pals, also by myself. All of them were in my platoon. I opened the parcel and distributed the contents amongst his pals. I know you would not wish for them to come back. We all sympathise with you in your great loss. I remain, yours sincerely, W. Wade, Quartermaster-Sergt. ‘B’ Coy.” Private Simpson’s father, Mr. William Simpson, 25, Goodriche Street, has received the following letter from the Officer Commanding the “B” Company:- “Dear Sir, It is with the deepest regret that I have to write to inform you of the loss of your son, Pte. Simpson, on Friday night last. The loss of your son is a great blow to his company, both I, and the whole of my company liked him, he was always cheerful and ready to do his duty. He was at the time nobly defending his trench when the enemy exploded a mine under our parapet and your son I believe was killed instantly and could not have suffered pain. He was buried by his comrades behind the firing line, and I am sure as long as we are in this district his grave will be carefully looked after by his comrades. The only consolation we have for his loss is that he died nobly defending his trench. Kindly accept my deep sympathy and also that of the whole of my company at the loss of your son. Yours Faithfully, J. Griffiths, Capt., Commanding ‘B’ Company, 5th Leicestershire Regiment.” Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved widow and two years old child. On the outbreak of the war Pte. Simpson was employed at the steel works of the Holwell Iron Company. A similar letter was received from Captain Griffiths concerning the death of Pte. Albert Pick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pick, Gas Cottages, Melton Mowbray. Deceased, who was only 19 years of age, formerly worked for Mr. Robert Fendall, builder and contractor. In a letter to Mrs. Ibbetson, 10, Market Place, announcing the death of her son, Corpl. W. Ibbetson, Capt. Griffiths states that he always liked her son, and looked upon his (sic) as one of his best N.C.O.’s. Corpl. Ibbetson was for a number of years in the employ of Mr. R. T. Stevens, tailor, and was well known in the town. He was 26 years of age, and had belonged to the Territorials for four years. Pte. George Foister was first reported to be missing, but subsequently the news of his death was conveyed in the following letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Foister, 11, Bayswater Road, Melton Mowbray:- “Dear Sir, - It is with much regret that I have to write to tell you of the loss of your son, Pte. G. Foister, on Friday night last, when the enemy exploded a mine under our parapet, immediately where your son was. Every search has been made for him but unfortunately we have been unable to find him, and I am afraid he will not now be found. We shall erect a cross to his memory at the spot where the explosion occurred. Your son was much liked by his officers and comrades, and he was always a good and cheerful soldier, and he will be much missed. Kindly accept my sympathy and also that of the whole company at your sad bereavement. Yours Faithfully. J. Griffiths, Capt. Commanding ‘B’ Company, 5th Leicestershire Regiment.” A letter from Quartermaster-Sergt. Wade confirmed the sad intelligence. It was as follows:- “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Foister, - it is with the deepest regret I have to tell you that George has been killed in action.. He was out on a listening post when the enemy blew a mine up. Several of his pals were killed at the same time, especially in No.5 platoon. He was a good and willing soldier of whom any parent might be proud. I feel it more because all the boys were in my old platoon. You will know how I felt over George, with working together for so many years. All the men and myself sympathise with you in your great loss. I have taken the liberty to open the parcel you have sent and distributed it amongst his old pals. I know you would not care to have it come back. I remain, yours, W. Wade, Quartermaster-Sergt., ‘B’ Coy. - P.S. - I have just retrieved your last letter and packet of cigarettes, and gave it out. W. W.” Yesterday morning Mr Foister received a further letter from Capt Griffiths as follows:- “2/8/15. Dear Sir, - I am writing to tell you that the body of your son, Pte. G. Foister has now been found, and I am glad to say has been buried by an officer. Although there was never any chance of him being alive it must have been an anxiety to you to know that he was missing. His personal effects are being returned to you later. Yours truly, - J. Griffiths, Captain, 5th Leicestershire Regiment.” Previous to the war breaking out Pte. Foister was in the employ of Messers. Sharman and Bradbury, ironmonger’s and implement manufacturers, as a mechanic. Another victim is Pte. Harry Plowman, son of Mrs. Plowman, 12, Sidney Street, Melton Mowbray. He was severely wounded on Friday week, and died in hospital the following Tuesday. Last Friday Mrs Plowman received the following letter from a nurse at number 10 Casualty Clearing Station, France, as follows:- “I am very sorry to send you the sad news of the death of your son, Pte. H. Plowman, of the 5th Leicester’s. He was severely wounded in the abdomen, and there was practically no hope from the first. The Sister in charge of him got his address, and asked him if he had any message for you. He did not realise that he was going to die, and he sent you is love. He did not suffer any pain, and was quite bright and cheery today (Tuesday). The end came quite suddenly. He became unconscious, and quietly passed away.” A message of condolence was also received from Archdeacon Southwell, the Chaplain. Deceased was in his twenty first year, and only wrote home on Friday - the day of the occurrence - while he was in the trenches. Yesterday week, Mr. H. Wilson, 21½, Beck Mill Street, received an intimation that his son, Pte. E. Wilson, of the 5th Leicester’s, was missing after the explosion of a mine on 23rd July. Yesterday morning the following further letter was received: - “2nd of August, 1915. Dear Sir, - I am writing to tell you that the body of your son, Pte. E. Wilson, has now been found, and has, I am glad to say, been decently buried by an officer. Although there was never any chance of his being alive, it must have been an anxiety to you to know that he was missing. His personal effects will be returned to you. Yours truly, J. N. Griffiths, Captain, 5th Leicestershire Regiment.” Pte. E. Wilson, who was 21 years of age, was employed at the Holwell Iron Company’s steelworks when the war broke out. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved mother, who has had more than her share of trouble. She has bought up a family of seven children, her husband having been an invalid for nearly 24 years, and done no work during that time. A brother of deceased, Pte. Chas. Wilson of the 2nd Leicester’s, was killed last November. Two of his stepbrothers are also serving with the Colours, viz., Ptes. Fred and Arthur Sissons, both being out with the first Leicester’s. We regret to learn that another local Territorial was killed last Saturday, viz., Pte. Charles Paling of the 5th Leicester’s, son of Mr. Thomas Paling of Thorpe Arnold Lodge. Prior to the war deceased worked with his father on the farm.
On Friday August 20th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. – PALING.- Killed in action, on July 31st, 1915, John Charles Paling, the dearly loved and youngest son of T. and A. Paling, The Lodge, Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. At rest. And in the same issue under the heading, “THANKS.” – Mr. and Mrs. T. Paling, The Lodge, Thorpe Arnold, wish to thank all kind friends for sympathy shown to them in the sad loss of their dear son Charlie.