Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Summers, a farm wagoner, born 1871 in Burton Lazars, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Alice Summers (nee Brown, married in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1873 in Saxby, Leicestershire. John William was born on the 4th September 1898 in Wymondham, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Arthur Richard, born 1898 and Florence Annie, born 1901, both his siblings were born in Wymondham, in March 1901 the family home was at The Lodge, Wyfordby, Leicestershire. In the 1st quarter of 1908, John’s father died aged 37 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Park Cottages, Wymondham, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Arthur, a schoolboy, Florence, a schoolgirl, Elsie, born 1906 in Frisby, Leicestershire, and Edith Alice, born 1909 in Melton Mowbray. The family later resided at Church Cottage, Wymondham. John had previously served for a short period with the Coldstream Guards. He enlisted on the 29th January 1917, and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 6th February 1917, joining his unit, the Hood Battalion on the 24th November 1917 and serving with this unit until suffering a gunshot wound to his left hand on the 31st December 1917, he was subsequently invalided to England on the 18th February 1918. He embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 11th June 1918, re-joining the Hood Battalion on the 8th July 1918 and served with this unit until the 4th September 1918 when he was reported missing in action, later reported as killed in action. John died on his 20th birthday.
The War Diary records: 4 Sep-18 – INCHY. Same positions still held. Commander EGERTON, D.S.O. resumed command of the Battalion. Battalion Headquarters shifted from WARTBURG POST to dug-out on West of village. In the evening the enemy counter-attacked in force on the left of the village and gained a footing in the village capturing a Machine Gun. Marines were sent up to our assistance and the enemy was driven out again with the exception of several isolated Machine Gun posts. Battalion relieved by BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and marched to the area V.26 where they were accommodated in several large dug-outs.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS OF 189th INFANTRY BRIGADE
RED LINE – INCHY-EN-ARTOIS – MOEUVRES.
Period 31st August – 5th September 1918.
Reference Sheets
51-B 1/40,000
57-C 1-40,000
On the morning of the 4th September the Cyclist Company holding the left of the HOOD Battalion line again endeavoured to secure the BRIDGE in E.2 central. Owing to the exposed state of the ground over which they had to advance and the heavy Machine Gun fire directed against them they were unable to do so. The Cyclists were then reinforced by 1 Company HOOD Battalion and another attempt was made on the BRIDGE which was again unsuccessful.
The HAWKE Battalion had been reinforced just before dawn by 1 Company 1st ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY (188th Infantry Brigade) which had been moved to SAFETY Trench and BUISSY Switch on the evening of the 3rd.
An Officer of the HAWKE Battalion led this Company forward and attacked the crossing in E.8.d. In face of strong opposition and in spite of strong Machine Gun fire they advanced and captured and destroyed 2 enemy Machine Guns and teams and established themselves on the Bridge. They maintained themselves at that post for several hours, but owing to heavy casualties caused by Machine Gun fire, and the fact that no reinforcements could cross the open country to their assistance, they were compelled to draw back about 150 yards where they established posts.
At 5.00pm orders were received for the 190th Infantry Brigade to relieve the 189th Infantry Brigade which, on relief, was to withdraw to vicinity of V.21 – arrangements were accordingly made for the relief. During the evening reports were received that the enemy were advancing troops East of the Canal in the direction of the Bridge at E.2 central. The Artillery successfully engaged these enemy parties.
About 7.30pm enemy put down a very heavy barrage on INCHY and MOEUVRES, with which a considerable amount of Blue and Green Cross Gas shells were included.
At 8.30pm information was received that the enemy had attacked and that the troops holding the North East corner of the village were forced to withdraw. Arrangements were at once made to meet the enemy and drive East of the Canal. At the same time a barrage was put down on line of Canal in E.2, also 1 Company of Marines was detailed to carry out the operation under the command of Officer Commanding HOOD Battalion, who organised an attack to be carried out by 2 parties from North West to West of INCHY, and by 11.00pm information was received that the village was clear of the enemy and the line restored to its former position.
The relief by the 190th Infantry Brigade then proceeded – HOOD and HAWKE Battalions were relieved by 2.00am The DRAKE Battalion was not relieved until after 10.00am on the 5th.
The Brigade rested in V.21 during the 5th September.
On Friday October 25th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WYMONDHAM.” – MISSING SOLDIERS. – We are very sorry to record that two more of our lads are missing. Mrs. Summers, who has been most anxious as to the fate of her son, has received the following notification from Record Office, Royal Naval Division. “Madam. – I regret to inform you that a report has been received to the effect that your son R/687 Able Seaman John William Summers, Hood Battalion, was posted as missing while serving with the British Expeditionary Force on the 4th September, 1918. Should he subsequently rejoin or any other information will be at once communicated to you. I am, Your obedient servant, J. Simpson, Lieut. Colonel, Officer in charge of records.”