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Private John Gratwick 406652 18th Battalion (Western Ontario), CEF, Died of Wounds 10th November 1918.


numbersix
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John 'Jack' Gratwick, born 14th April 1889 in Portsmouth Great Britain and a sailor by trade, joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Hamilton Ontario on the 4th May 1915. He had previously served 3 years in the 35th Simcoe Foresters. Initially assigned to the 36th Battalion he was transferred to the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) on his arrival at the Canadian Base Depot in France on the 1st December 1915, he joined his unit on 10th December 1915. He fought with the 18th Battalion through 1916, 1917 and 1918.

 

The 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) saw action on the Western Front at the Somme, Arras, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Ypres, Amiens and throughout the 100 Days to the end of the War. Their last action was the Pursuit to Mons (where the British Expeditionary Force had fought their first major battle of the War in August 1914).

 

On the 10th November 1918 John was wounded by shrapnel (Shrapnel Wound Back Penetrating) near Mons and died the same day at 14:30hours at No.6 Canadian Field Ambulance; he was 29 years old. John Gratwick is buried at the Frameries Communal Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium, Plot II A4. I believe 'Died of Wounds' indicates that he was alive when he arrived at the No.6 Canadian Field Ambulance. I believe 922 other British and Commonwealth servicemen died on 10th November 1918.

 

He had a sister, Florence, and an elder brother, Albert; Albert served in the Royal Navy and survived the War. John Gratwick never married but his sister had a daughter (who was a WREN in World War 2) and John's memory has passed down that line.

 

Below are photographs of Private John Gratwick's medals, remembrances and paperwork. I have also included some of the postcards he sent to his sister Florence.

 

This is his Attestation on joining up:

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John Gratwick's medals and plaque:

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CEF Death Certificate:

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The medals are engraved:

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A silver and enamel 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) sweetheart pin:

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These next two are Postcards from The Bystander, a popular British magazine, the cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather who drew the famous Old Bill character is the artist, part of the Fragments from France comic strip (Old Bill was very popular at the time; and enduring, a film was made in 1941 during World War 2 called Old Bill and Son):

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A Postcard from John (Jack) to Florence, I like the mention of ' a feed of chip's:

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This Postcard is from John Gratwicks brother-in-law Arthur to Florence, the wry humour of his comments resonates still:

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Thank you, the items have been stored in a wooden box for a long time so it has been good to let them see the light of day; I have to say I find it all quite poignant.

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It's frustrating to think of how close he came to surviving the war. Thank you for sharing these things, and the memory of John  Gratwick.

 

Tom

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Thank you, it was indeed a cruel twist of fate. I believe that it was known that the Armistice was coming on the following day; the troops were in action almost until the 1100hours ceasefire. 

 

The Canadian Government digitised all the military records for the centenary of the Great War so I have been able to get his full service record and I intend to add transcriptions of the postcards shown as well as others he sent. I have yet to find a photograph of John as the family photographs are in a different box that I have not collated yet. I hope to give a full account of his life and War.

 

His family very much appreciate the interest and kind comments.

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