Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Adcock, born 1859 in Markfield, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Adcock (nee Lloyd, married in the 3rd quarter of 1892 in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district), born 23rd September 1871 in Middlesex and baptised on the 19th November 1871 at St. Martin in the Fields Church, Westminster, Middlesex. John Adcock was born in the 1st quarter of 1896 in Ulverscroft, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 16th August 1896 in the Parish Church, Markfield. John’s father died in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, aged 37. John’s mother married Henry Statham on the 9th February 1901 in the Parish Church, Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire, Henry was born in 1875 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at Main Road, Stanton, under Bardon, together with his step father, a coal miner, his mother and sister Rosa Caroline, born 15th December 1892 in Ulverscroft. In April 1911 John was employed as a below ground horse driver and was residing in the family home at Stanton under Bardon, together with his step father, a coal miner, his mother and half-blood siblings Elizabeth, born 1902, Henry, born 18th November 1902, William, born 1904, Thomas, born 1906, Johanna, born 1907, Catherine, born 1909 and Mary Grace, born 1911, all his half-blood siblings were born in Stanton under Bardon. Henry’s father had previously married Margaret Bowles, on the 27th February 1887 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, Margaret was born in 1865 and died in January 1892 in Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire, aged 27. John’s mother died on the 23rd June 1950 in Leicester, aged 78.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 1st September 1914 in Loughborough, and was allotted the service number 15205. He gave his place of birth as Markfield, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as collier.
His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 19 years 1 month, that he was 5-feet 8½ inches in height, weighed 132 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30¾ and 33 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue normal eyes and his hair colour was red. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Loughborough. 1/9/14.
Joined. Depot, Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/9/14.
Posted. To 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 5/9/14.
Appointed. Acting Lance Corporal (paid). 21/11/14.
Appointed. Acting Corporal. 4/5/15.
Confirmed. In rank of Corporal. In the Field. 27/9/15.
Appointed. Lance Sergeant (paid). In the Field. 19/12/15.
Appointed. Acting Sergeant. In the Field. 24/2/16.
Missing. Believed wounded. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Killed in action, place not stated, previously reported missing. 14/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 28/7/15. 331 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 14/7/16. 352 days.
Total Service. 1 year 318 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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: 14 Jul-16 - MAMETZ WOOD. ATTACK ON BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and village by the 110th Brigade. The Battalion was drawn up for the assault in four lines. The first three lines were in front of MAMETZ WOOD and were to move forward in succession at ZERO, the first line to take, clear and hold the German first line, the remainder to push on to capture and consolidate the FOREST TRENCH (enemy support line). The fourth line were drawn up behind the north edge of MAMETZ WOOD to move forward half an hour after ZERO, and push forward through FOREST TRENCH ready to assault the German third line. By 2.55 am all dispositions were made, each platoon being on its correct adjustment. A number of casualties were suffered during this operation, one platoon of “C” Company losing almost half its number. The men behaved admirably under trying conditions. At ZERO 3.25 am when the barrage lifted our first line trench was hardly close enough to it to rush the first line before the enemy could man it, as a result the advance was rather ragged. The right (“A”) Company in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had little difficulty in entering the trench. The left (“D”) Company were momentarily held up by machine gun fire but managed to keep up close to the parapet and rush the line. The two centre (“B” and “C”) Companies were held up for about 20 minutes by machine guns. The pressure was relieved by parties from the right working down a flank. The centre Companies were then able to rush the trench. The second and third lines coming on, swept the remainder of the first line then, and made for the second line (FOREST TRENCH). By this time of the officers of “B” Company only 2nd Lieutenant EVANS was left, in “C” Company only 2nd Lieutenant REED, while in “D” Company all the officers were out of action. The enemy in the first line trench at first made some resistance but many were caught in their dug outs, and the rest seeing that they could not stop our rush retreated into the WOOD and made no resistance in the FOREST TRENCH. By 4.00 am our whole line was in occupation of FOREST TRENCH and the work of consolidation was begun. Captain A. A. CLARKE taking command. 2nd Lieutenant EVANS then sent back Company Sergeant Major GEARY to ensure that the German first line was cleared of the enemy. This N.C.O. with his party found a number of the enemy who had been passed over in the rush. In the meantime the left Company (“D”) after pushing on too eagerly under our barrage and being forced to retire, turned towards the flank and established connection with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT At 4.25 am Captain A. A. CLARKE, leaving 2nd Lieutenant EVANS in charge of the first trench, went forward in charge of the party to capture the third objective. No resistance was met with on the right, but on the left considerable trouble was caused by a machine gun and by snipers and close by the observation post in the tree both Captain CLARKE and Lieutenant WAKEFORD were hit. This left the assaulting line without an officer, but Sergeant WALKER (“A” Company) and Lance Sergeant SHERLOCK (“C” Company) rallied their men and made good this line. There was no German trench in this position and in some cases the men again pressed forward and came under fire from our own barrage. Meanwhile the left (“D” Company) being checked by the machine gun on the crest of the wood and being unable to make headway were rallied by Lance Corporal BUSH, and an attempt was made to get round the position on the right, with the result that this party lost direction in the wood and finally found itself among the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Lance Corporal BUSH then placed himself under the orders of an officer of that Battalion. Almost before the barrage lifted, the party under Sergeant WALKER rushed the German trench on the north side of the wood. The enemy made no resistance here and being caught between the barrage of shell fire and our advancing line gave themselves up. By 6.45 am we were established in the line on North edge of the wood. Subsequently officers of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT bringing up supports took over command of this sector. About 7.15 am Captain GWYTHER was commanding the Battalion, ordered 2nd Lieutenant EVANS to push forward from FOREST TRENCH in support of the front line, on reaching the position selected for the strong point on the RAILWAY, this party came under machine gun fire from the north west corner of the wood, 2nd Lieutenant EVANS took up the line covering the strong point and prepared for reconnaissance. The position therefore at 8.00 am was:- Northern edge of the wood held by us. Possession of the North West corner doubtful. Line of RAILWAY and strong point secured by us. Throughout the morning the enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment with 150mm Howitzers and a few 77mm’s, which grew in intensity about midday and during the afternoon. About 1.00 pm it was believed that the Germans were still holding the entire edge of the wood at the North Western corner and an assaulting party of the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised to clear them out. The bushes and trees were very thick round this point which necessarily made progress slow, the enemy evacuating and manning a trench about 30 yards from the wood, before our men could get through we suffered several casualties from a machine gun in the above mentioned trench. An attempt was made about 9 o clock to reorganise the Battalion, as they were considerably mixed up, most of the officers becoming casualties. Lieutenant Colonel DRYSDALE was wounded whilst the Battalion was marching to its position in front of MAMETZ WOOD, Captain and Adjutant A. A. ALDWORTH taking command. Captain’s WRIGHT, GIFFORD, Lieutenant’s. BURNETT, HOLLIS, ABBOTT and 2nd Lieutenant’s NEWTON, GUTTERIDGE and BAIN being all killed before our troops reached the first line. 2nd Lieutenant PICKERING-CLARKE, SIMPSON and REID also Lieutenant WAKEFORD were killed in the wood. The wounded officers were Captain A. A. CLARKE, Lieutenant HOUGHTON and 2nd Lieutenant’s THOMPSON, WEBB and ORRIT-NICHOL. Our total casualties were 18 officers and 535 men killed and wounded. Our men along with the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT manned the trenches at the edge of the wood and remained there until next morning. The night was quick.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 6th, 1917

STANTON-UNDER-BARDON BROTHERS KILLED

Mrs Statham, of Stanton-under-Bardon, has received news from the War Office that her son, Acting Sergeant John Adcock, Leicesters, was killed in action on July 14th, 1916. He was previously reported missing. He was 20 years of age, and joined up on September 2nd, 1914. He had won a certificate of merit at an Army school of instruction. Private J. L. Adcock, was a brother (who joined at the same time), and was killed in action by a shell on August 27th, 1916. He was 21 years old.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 19th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mrs H. Statham, Main Street, Stanton-under-Bardon, has received official intimation that her son, Sergeant John Adcock (aged 20), Leicestershire Regiment, who was reported missing on July 14th, 1916, must now be presumed to have been killed in action, in France, on that date.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 19/10/2017