Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Dexter, a shoe trade rivetter, born in the April quarter of 1864 in Hugglescote, Leicestershire (son of George Dexter, 1841 and Sarah Ann Hickling) and his wife Sarah Ann Dexter (nee Steel, married on the 18th September 1888 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley, Leicestershire), born on the 11th August 1866 in Rothley and baptised on the 1st October 1866 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley (daughter of Charles Steel and Matilda Needham). John Roland was born on the 25th March 1897 in Rothley and baptised on the 16th May 1897 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley, his siblings were, Florence Sarah, born on the 8th December 1889 and baptised on the 2nd November 1890 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley, George Harry, born on the 21st August 1891 and baptised on the 20th September 1891 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley and Horace, born on the 4th December 1894 and baptised on the 15th July 1894 in the Church of St. Mary & St. John, Rothley, all his siblings were born in Rothley, in March 1901 the family home was at Cross Green, Rothley. In April 1911 John was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at The Green, Rothley, together with his father, a shoe trade machinist, his mother and siblings, Florence a shoe trade worker, George, a shoe trade packer, Horace, a shoe trade finisher and Daisy, born on the 5th September 1904 in Rothley.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 10th December 1915 in Loughborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 30145. He gave his age as 18 years 270 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as Burnaby House, Rothley.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Glen Parva Barracks on the 22nd May 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Rothley, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 270 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 103 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 32½ inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6 L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Loughborough on the 10th December 1915. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 270 days, height 5-feet 6 inches and chest measurement of between 30½ and 32½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Ann Dexter, Burnaby House, Rothley, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 10/12/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 10/12/15.
Mobilized. 22/5/16.
Posted. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 22/5/16.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt., Patrington Camp. Pte. 25/5/16.
Posted. To 1st Garrison Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/8/16.
Re Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 6/2/17.
Embarked. From Folkestone for the British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/17.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. British Expeditionary Force. 1/3/17.
Posted. To 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/3/17
Transferred. To 10th Bn. Cheshire Regt. Pte. Allotted the regimental service number 50635. 19/3/17.
Wounded in action. Gunshot wound left thigh. In the Field. 17/4/17.
Admitted. To 3rd Canadian General Hospital. 18/4/17.
Transferred. To England per Hospital Ship St. Denis. 20/4/17.
Admitted. To Eastern Command General Hospital, Edmonton, N.18. 20/4/17.
Re-joined. Depot Cheshire Regt. Pte. From Expeditionary Force. 20/4/17.
Discharged. From Hospital 5/7/17.
Posted. To Western Command Depot. Pte. 16/7/17.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Cheshire Regt. Pte. 15/8/17.
Posted. To Expeditionary Force, France. 11/9/17.
Embarked. 15/9/17.
Disembarked. 16/9/17.
Joined. 4th Infantry Brigade Depot, France. 16/9/17.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Cheshire Regt. 16/9/17.
Posted. To 15th Bn. Cheshire Regt. 22/9/17.
Joined. 15th Bn. Cheshire Regt. In the Field. 24/9/17.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. 28/3/18.
Now reported missing in action. In the Field. 24/3/18.
Death accepted for official purposes to have occurred on or since. 24/3/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 10/12/15 – 27/2/17. 1 year 80 days.
France. 28/2/17 – 19/4/17. 51 days.
Home Service. 20/4/17 – 14/9/17. 148 days.
France. 15/9/17 – 24/3/18. 191 days.
Total Service. 2 years 105 days.
He was awarded the 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: 24-25 Mar-18 – SUZANNE – MARICOURT. Billets were reached at 4.00am but immediately on arrival orders were received to proceed to MARICOURT in support of the front-line troops and almost immediately the Battalion were engaged in active operations against the great enemy offensive.
15th (SERVICE) BATTALION THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT.
REPORT ON OPERATIONS FROM 24th to 30th MARCH, 1918 – Reference Maps Albert & Sheets G2C 1/40,000.
Having entrained at BOUSBRUGGE STATION as follows (“W” Company at 3.05am) and the remainder of the Battalion at 7.00am the Battalion travelled throughout the whole of the 23rd March, 1918 detraining at MERICOURT L’ABBE about 8.00pm and being then ordered to march to Billets at SUZANNE with the exception of “W” Company, which was left behind as an unloading party for the Brigade. The march was a long one and much interrupted by congestion of traffic and troops from the forward zone proceeding to the rear and SUZANNE was not reached until 4.00am on the 24th.
Just as the troops were entering Billets Orders were given that they were to immediately proceed to MARICOURT where the 21st Division were holding the Line in front of H.3.a.
The 3 Companies left at 8.00am to take over the Line on information that the enemy had occupied CLERY and were ordered to support 23rd Division who had been slightly pushed back and to retake the ridge running through B.23 & 29.
This ground was successfully recaptured with small loss and the Battalion established the Line on the right with the 15th SHERWOOD FORESTERS on the Left.
The new position was repeatedly attacked by the enemy with vigour but in each case the attack was beaten back with heavy losses to the enemy.
The repulse of these attacks was greatly assisted by the timely help from a Canadian Machine Gun Company who repeatedly mowed down the advancing waves of the enemy.
Our Lewis Gun and rifle fire also accounted for enormous numbers of the enemy troops which advanced in quite thick formation.
During these operations the Battalion suffered heavy casualties and in the afternoon the enemy by repeated attacks succeeded in practically surrounding “Z” and “X” Companies. Troops on either flanks were showing signs of wavering and even of retiring but our men held on until ordered to withdraw when a large proportion succeeded in fighting their way out.
The Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Junior Major, and another Officer were surrounded with some 30 men and were probably take by the enemy after a brisk fight. Two other Officers (Captain C. B. KIDD, M.C., and Lieutenant E. H. HODSON) were killed and it was found impossible to get their bodies away.
At 5.15pm touch with the 15th SHERWOOD FORESTERS being lost retirement by sections from the right was ordered covering fire being given from the high ground in front of B.21.c.9.1 from the Sunken Road behind which all our wounded were evacuated as sections withdrew.
The Battalion took up a position from the River at CURLU on the right to the Cross Roads at A.30.b.8.5 with the 15th SHERWOOD FORESTERS on their left and the 4th NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT in support at MARICOURT.
An attack on the SHERWOOD FORESTERS from North East came early in the evening but was repulsed by rifle and Machine Gun fire the enemy failing to reach our Lines and by 8.00pm the position was well in hand.
About 11.00pm our “W” Company arrived and reinforced our line which had been very thinly held. The night was quiet but on the morning of the 25th soon after dawn the enemy started to attack heavily right along our Line.
The 55th Divisional Artillery were of the utmost value and enabled the Battalion to successfully resist the enemy’s onslaught until shortly before 10.00am when the enemy artillery forced the Battalion out of position by accurate traversing of the Sunken Road with heavy shells. In consultation with the 15th SHERWOOD FORESTERS, it was decided to take up a position just short of MARICOURT, “W” Company and 1 platoon giving strong covering fire from the spur running Northwards through B.29. This covering fire was of the utmost value not only to our troops but to troops on our flanks who were forced to evacuate the forward positions.
The remainder of the Battalion were collected in the Road in B.22 and re-organised and occupied the outpost line on the spur running through A.29 the Battalion holding the right flank with the 4th NORTH STAFFORDSHIR REGIMENT and 17th ROYAL SCOTS on our left.
At about 9.00pm a small enemy patrol of 2 Officers and 16 men was driven off by us and we killed 9 of them and captured 2, one of whom afterwards escaped. The captured man was sent to Brigade Headquarters.
At 10.00pm the Battalion was relieved by the 17th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS and was proceeding to Billets at SUZANNE where hot food was provided in huts when orders were received to proceed forthwith to the BRAY-MEAULTE Road and take up a defensive position along the road throwing forward outposts on to the railway some 2,000 yards North East of the Road, the front-line running through HAPPY VALLEY Station.
At 10.00am on the 26th the enemy were observed advancing in extended order with cavalry in rear and having reached a post 800 yards in front of the outposts. This advance continued and was broken up by our rifle and Machine Gun fire, assistance being rendered by a tank which came into action on our left flank where the troops holding had been compelled to give a little ground.
Repeated attacks from the enemy were dealt with as they came and beaten off by our troops who showed great steadiness and fine accuracy with their fire and we seemed to be easily holding the Line when at 2.55pm orders were received to retire in echelon from the right to VILLE-SOUS-CORBIE.
This difficult withdrawal was carried out in an admirable manner, the successive positions on high points being taken up without disorder and covering fire being provided wherever possible.
The enemy advance was rapid and his light field guns put up a considerable barrage over our retiring troops.
The steadiness and fine spirits of the troops throughout this operation was most praiseworthy and the manner in which the wounded of our own and other Units were evacuated and carried to safety without assistance from the R.A.M.C was very noteworthy.
VILLE-SOUS-CORBIE was reached via MORLANCOURT but at the latter place orders were given to cross the ANCRE and take up position along the ALBERT-AMIENS Railway at BUIRE-SUR-ANCRE the Battalion being on the right flank of the Brigade.
The night was a quiet one but very cold and the men were practically without any cover at all but commenced to dig themselves in.
About midday on the 27th the Battalion was relieved by the 12th HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY and proceeded to bivouac in local reserve on the Sunken Road running through D.18.c. Here again they had to dig themselves in and spend the night in the open.
On the night of the 28th the Brigade relieved the 104th Infantry Brigade and the battalion took over from the 17th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS on the right flank “W” Company being in an outpost position to the South East edge of MARETTE WOOD J.11.b and J.12.a. “X” and “Y” Companies on the railway from MERICOURT STATION Eastwards and “Z” Company in reserve on the BUERE REDOUBT Road.
During the night of the 28th-29th it was found that Australian troops had pushed forward in advance of our outpost line.
An Officers Patrol was sent out on the night of the 29th-30th to ascertain if the enemy was holding VILLE-SOUS-CORBIE and it was found that he occupied posts in the rear but not apparently the village itself.
The battalion occupied their position until relieved by the 37th Battalion AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY on the night of the 30th/31st March, 1918 when they came to LA HOUSSOYE.
CASUALTIES DURING MARCH 1918.
24/3/18. Officers. Killed 2. Wounded 6. Wounded and Missing 1. Missing believed prisoners 6.
Other Ranks. Killed 23. Wounded 156. Wounded and Missing 25. Missing believed prisoners 0.
On Friday March 24th, 1922, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – DEXTER. - In loving memory of Pte. J. R. Dexter, missing March 24, 1918. Four years have passed since that sad day. When from his home he went away. Never to return. – From loving Mother, Sisters and Brothers. Rothley.
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