Name
John Thomas Currell (MM)
5th November 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1916
21 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9783
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
1st Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
M M
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield War Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
John Thomas Currell was born on 5th November 1893 in Hatfield, Herts, son of George Currell a Gardener (B 1860 in Hatfield) and Mary Jane Currell (nee Fisher) (B 1867 in Hatfield). One of twelve children, two died in infancy. He was Baptised in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield, on 17th December 1893.
In 1896 the family lived in Arm and Sword Yard in Hatfield. John attended Hatfield C of E School from November 1896 to May 1900 when he was transferred to the Hatfield National School (later St Audrey's School) leaving for work in September 1907, aged 14 years.
1901 Census records John aged 7, at school, living with his father, brothers William 10, George 5, sisters Alice 11 and Annie 1, at 14 St Peters Cottages, Newtown, Hatfield. His father was a domestic gardener.
By 1911 now aged 17, John was working as a General Labourer, living at home with his parents, brothers George 15, Charles 9 Leonard 7, sisters Annie 11, Amy 6, Rose 4 and Alice 3, in Green Lanes, Hatfield. His father was now a roadman working for the County Council.
Officially recorded living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Mill Hill.
Wartime Service
John enlisted in Millhill and was posted to the West Yorkshire Regiment with the Service No. 9783. According to his medal card he landed in France on 8th September 1914.
His Military Medal was Gazetted on the 27th October 1916
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914, in the list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Currell, John – Green Lanes – 1st West Yorks.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 14th July 1917, recorded: "The late Pte. Thomas Currell, DCM. West Yorkshire Regt, who having won the D C M, was killed in action on Sept 25th last year. He was headquarters signaller in his battalion. Before joining up he was employed by Mr Tucker of Bell Bar.”
Awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, & 1914 Star.
Additional Information
The value of his effect £9-3s-10d, Pay Owing and £12, War Gratuity went to his father George.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs G. Currell (Mother) of Green Lanes, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
His younger brother Private 260175 George Alfred Currell was killed on 4th November 1918, and is commemorated on the Addenda Panel at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
