Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Veasey, a general labourer, born 1860 in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Elizabeth Veasey (nee Hickman, married in the 4th quarter of 1885 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Wymondham, Leicestershire. John Thomas was born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Wymondham, his siblings were, Frederick William, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Francis, born 1889, both his siblings were born in Wymondham, in April 1891 John was residing at Park Cottages, Jubilee Terrace, Wymondham, this being the family home of his maternal Grandmother, Mary A. Hickman, a charwoman, born 1827 in Wymondham. In the 3rd quarter of 1897 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s mother died aged 35. In March 1901 John was employed as a farm boy and was residing in the family home at Drift Hill, Wymondham, together with his widowed father, a railway labourer and his siblings, Frederick, a farm boy, Francis, George Edward, born 1892 and Albert, born in the 3rd quarter of 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Wymondham. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at The Drift, Wymondham, together with his father William, a railway labourer and his brother Albert, a farm labourer. John also had a younger brother, Alfred, born 8th November 1896 in Wymondham. John’s younger brother Albert died in April 1918.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 18th August 1915 in Leicester. He gave his present home address as Wymondham, Leicestershire, his age as 27 years and 362 days and his trade or calling as horseman. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, William Veasey of Wymondham, Oakham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 20875 on the 18/8/15. Posted to the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, on the 4/9/15. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 8/6/16. Disembarked at Boulogne on the 8/6/16. Joined the 37th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 9/6/16. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/6/16. Proceeded to join the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 21/6/16. Joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 22/6/16. Killed in action, place not stated, in the field on the 25/9/16. John was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s Uncle, Thomas Veasey on the 3rd April 1920, and was witnessed and signed by -?- Clerk in Holy Orders, Enderby Vicarage, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brother of soldier, Alfred Veasey, age 23 of Wymondham, Oakham. Uncles and Aunts by blood of the soldier (not Uncles and Aunts by marriage), Thomas Veasey, age 45 of Conery Lane, Enderby, near Leicester. Alice Pick, age 41 of Wymondham, Oakham. 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.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lieutenant A. E. PETER, 2nd Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT, Company Sergeant Major POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lieutenant CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lieutenant RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lieutenant HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and Company Sergeant Major RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion Headquarters advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lieutenant HARDY, 2nd Lieutenant LEWIS, Company Sergeant Major RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion Headquarters advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion Headquarters viz: Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT), Lieutenant TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were found without any officer. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade Headquarters, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lieutenant KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – OUR HEROES. It is with deep regret that we have to state Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, grocers and drapers, received the sad intelligence from the War Office that their fifth son, Pte. Fred Johnson, Durham Light Infantry, was killed on the 18th September. Prior to joining the army, deceased was employed on the Midland Railway, as clerk in the Goods department at Sheffield, and was 30 years of age. Very many sympathetic letters have been received from his many friends in Sheffield, he being dearly loved by all who knew him. News has also come to hand of the death of John Veasey, but nothing official has yet been received. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs Willett have been wounded, one is home on leave and is going on well. Mr. Robert Knott has been informed that all three of his sons who are serving at the front have been wounded, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke have been notified that their son, Herbert, is wounded and lying in hospital at Fishponds, Bristol, with fractured leg and shrapnel in his foot.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – WYMONDHAM. – KILLED IN ACTION. – Private John Thomas Veasey, of the --- Leicester’s, has been killed in action, his father receiving the sad official intimation on Saturday morning. Deceased was the second son of Mr. Wm. Veasey, the mother dying over twenty years ago, leaving six little sons. He was 29 years of age, of a very quiet disposition, and much liked by his friends, and previous to his enlistment in September, 1915, he was employed under Mr. Hunt, at the Lodge Farm, belonging to Mr. Henry Morris. Much sympathy is felt for those left behind.