Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Bishop born 1825 in Leics., and his wife Ann, born 1825 in Knipton, Leics. John Henry was born in 1869 in Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., his siblings were Freeman, born 1854, Harriett, born 1857, William, born 1860, Jane A., born 1862 and Ada, born 1864, all his siblings were born in Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., in April 1871 the family home was at Melton Road, Waltham on the Wolds, Leics. In April 1881 John was a Schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Melton Road, Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., together with his widowed mother a Cottager of nine acres and his sister Ada. In April 1891 John was serving as a Private with the 11th Hussars and was stationed in Canterbury, Kent, in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Gregory the Great. In April 1911 John was employed as a Carpenter and was residing in the family home at Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., together with his wife of six year, Susan Elizabeth, born 1882 in Rochester, Kent and their children, John Philip, born 1906, Frederick, born 1907, William Henry, born 1908 and Norah, born 1910, all the children were born in Waltham on the Wolds, Leics. On Friday April 9th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – WALTHAM SOLDIER KILLED.- It is with great regret that we record the death of Mr. John Henry Bishop, of Waltham, killed in action on March 10th. His wife received confirmation of the news from the War Office on March 30th. J. H. Bishop served for 12 years in the 11th Hussars, seeing considerable service in Natal and the North West Frontier of India. His time expired at the commencement of the Boer War, and being in Egypt, he immediately joined the Irregulars and became a Sergeant of Driscoll’s Scouts. At Potgieter’s Drift, with 10 men, he kept a large party of the enemy at bay. His horse was killed, and in falling, kicked him in the back, leaving the imprint of its hoof. He was then badly wounded, a bullet passing from shoulder to hip. In spite of this he crawled back to camp, eight miles. For this service he was awarded the “Badge of Gallantry.” Shortly after the present war broke out he enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment, and was soon sent to the front. He leaves a widow and six young children. Every sympathy is felt for the bereaved family. The church bell was tolled, and the flag at the school flown at half-mast. He was 46 years of age. On the same day Mrs R. Simons received the sad news that her nephew, Edgar Walker, of the Northampton’s had died in hospital from wounds received a day previous. He has two brothers in the army. Edgar was 21 years of age. The War Diary for the 12th March records. The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm. The War Diary for the 13th March records. Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.