Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thorp, an iron trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1873 in Birmingham, Warwickshire (son of Thomas Thorp, 1826 and Charlotte Stone, 1835) and his wife Alice Rosa Thorp (nee Withers, married in the January quarter of 1896 in Birmingham), born in the April quarter of 1873 in Birmingham (daughter of Joseph Withers, 1835-1878 and Ann Taylor, 1840). John Harold was born in the October quarter of 1898 in Christ Church, Birmingham and baptised on the 6th November 1898 in Christ Church, Birmingham, in March 1901 the family home was at 6, The Hollies, Birmingham. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Nottingham Road, Leicester, together with his father, an iron trade fitter, his mother and siblings, Daisy May, a schoolgirl, born on the 4th October 1901 and Norman, a schoolboy, born on the 18th August 1904, the latter two siblings were both born in Birmingham, Nancy, born on the 11th June 1906, Raymond, born in the October quarter of 1908 and Ronald, born in the January quarter of 1911, the latter three siblings were all born in North Evington, Leicester.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 18th October 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 21617. He gave his age as 19 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as clerk. He gave his present address as 121, Lancaster Street, Leicester
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 18th October 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Christ Church, Birmingham, declared age as 19 years 1 day, trade or occupation as clerk, that he was 5-feet 4½ inches in height, weighed 109 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/18 L.E.-V=6/24. Enlisted at Leicester on the 26th October 1915. Joined on enlistment 11th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. – Pioneers.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years, height 5-feet 4¾ inches and chest measurement of between 30½ and 33 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Alice Thorpe, 121, Lancaster Street, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 18/10/15.
Posted. To 11th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. – Pioneers. Pte. 18/10/15.
Admitted. To 7th General Hospital, cerebro spinal fever. St. Omer. 10/4/16.
Died. In 7th General Hospital, St. Omer. 10/4/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 18/10/15 – 26/3/16. 160 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 27/3/6 – 10/4/16. 15 days
Total Service. 175 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: 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.
On the 27th November 1916, John’s mother, Alice Rosa, of 164, East Park Road, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings, commensurate on the 28th November 1916, upon his mother’s death in December 1929, the Pension was transferred to his father John.
The War Diary records: 10 Apr-16 - ESQUELBEC. At 9.30am Major General ROSS inspected the billets of the Battalion. Rifle range continued. Officers and NCOs on bayonet fighting course returned to duty. One NCO admitted into hospital with cerebro spinal meningitis and struck off strength. Company parade as usual. The following is an extract from the London Gazette: - LEICESTERSHIRE REGT., Lt. H. M. RALEIGH to adjutant (24/4/16).
The 10th April 1917 edition of the Leicester Mercury published the following under the heading, “IN MEMORIAM.” THORPE – In sad remembrance of Pte. John Harold Thorpe, of the Leicester Pioneers, died in hospital April 10th 1916, at St. Omer, France, age 17½.
On Monday April 10th, 1922, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – THORPE. - In loving memory of John Harold Thorpe, who died in France April 10th, 1916.
[recognitum XIV-II-MMXXIII]