Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of The Reverend Canon Thomas Frederick Jerwood, a Clerk in Holy Orders, born on the 9th November 1845 in St. Johns Wood, Middlesex and baptised on the 22nd December 1846 in the Parish Church, Holborn, Middlesex (son of Thomas John Jerwood, 1817-1866 and Helen Pruday, 1820-1890) and his wife Dorothea Elizabeth Jerwood (nee Longsdon, married on the 5th April 1877 in Seacroft, St. James, Yorkshire), born on the 23rd May 1853 in Halton, Yorkshire and baptised on the 5th July 1853 in St. Mary’s Church, Whitkirk, Yorkshire (daughter of Reverend Henry John Longsdon, 1826-1899 and Frances Dorothea Lace, 1829-1908). John Hugh was born on the 1st September 1889 in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 20th September 1889 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden, his siblings were, Helen Dorothea, born in the October quarter of 1879 and baptised on the 7th October 1879 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden, Catharine Maud, born on the 21st November 1881 and baptised on the 20th December 1881 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden, Edward Longsdon, born in the January quarter of 1884 and baptised on the 13th January 1884 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden and William Leonard, born on the 6th November 1887 and baptised on the 26th November 1887 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden, the latter four siblings were all born in Little Bowden and Frederick Harold, born on the 29th November 1885 in Keighley, Yorkshire, also residing with the family was a sister, Helen M. Jerwood, born 1850 in Middlesex, in April 1891 the family home was at The Rectory, Rectory Lane, Little Bowden. In March 1901, John was absent from the family home at The Rectory, Rectory Lane, Little Bowden, residing there was his father, a Clergyman of the Church of England, his mother and siblings, Catherine, an actress and Bernard Ellery, born on the 7th June 1892 in Little Bowden and baptised on the 25th June 1892 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Little Bowden, meanwhile John was a schoolboy and was residing as a boarder at the Grammar School, Oakham, Rutland. In April 1911 John was a university student and was residing in the family home at The Rectory, Rectory Lane, Little Bowden, together with his father, a Clergyman, his mother and sibling, Catherine. John also had an older sibling, Henry Arthur who was born on the 25th February 1878 in Little Bowden and who died aged 28, on the 26th March 1906 in Christchurch, Mandalay, Burma.
John was educated at Oakham School, Rutland, (where he was Head Prefect, 1907-08, captain XI, and captain XV., 1907-08), and Jesus College, Cambridge, (where he stroked Head of River (Lent) 1910, 1911, and Head of River (May) 1912. At Henley he rowed in the Final Heat Grand Challenge, 1910 and stroked in the Ladies’ Plate against Henley 1912. He was a schoolmaster by profession. He enlisted in the London Regiment, Artists Rifles ten days after the outbreak of war and he was given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant a month later, he embarked for France on the 15th May 1915, and in June was promoted Lieutenant, in August 1916 he was further promoted to Captain and in November 1917 to Major. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. He met his death in action near Cerisy, France.
On Wednesday, November 24th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. – Information has been received at Market Harborough to the effect that Second Lieut. GEOFFREY PALMER, of Logan-street, Market Harborough, has been killed in action.
News has also come to hand that Lieut. J. H. JERWOOD, Durham Light Infantry, son of the Rector of Little Bowden, has been wounded, and is in hospital.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 – At 4.30am the enemy opened an intense bombardment with all calibre shells, using a new kind of gas shell, the smell of which was not unpleasant, but had the effect of sleeping gas. At 8.30am he finished gas shelling but continued with other shells. It was very foggy and the sections were posted at all points. All signal communication was cut by 4.40am. At 10.20am news was received by runner the enemy was in the front line, support Companies, Battalion Headquarters moved into strong points EGYPT where fighting immediately commenced. 2 pigeons were dispatched and papers all burnt, the enemy at 10.30am were streaming down the ST. QUENTIN ROAD from both flanks and moved into LA FOLIE QUARRY. At 10.35am he was reported to be pushing towards BENAY and LERIZY. 1 Officer, 6 runners and 3 Signallers commenced to fight their way to Brigade Headquarters with the news to warn strong points. 1 Officer reached Brigade 11.10am, 2 runners arriving 10 minutes after, 1 Signaller also got in successfully. After which this party were attached to 9th SCOTTISH RIFLES in reserve trenches behind Brigade Headquarters. Estimated casualties, 20 Officers, 540 Other Ranks actually in the front line at the time of the attack.