Name
John Hedger
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
417002 (poss 4/7002)
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial,
Hatfield In Memoriam Book,
St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield,
We are not aware of any memorial in Roe Green
Pre War
Son of John and Rose Hedger, born c 1883.
The 1891 Census, records John, aged 7, was living with his parents and siblings in Roe Green. His father was working as an agriculture labourer. In 1901, the family were still living at Roe Green Cottages. Father working as a railway labourer and John, aged 17, as a bricklayer’s labourer.
By 1911 Census: John (senior) had died, John, aged 27, was living with his now widowed mother at the Common, New Town, Hatfield. John an agricultural labourer and his mother a charwoman.
Recorded as born in Roe Green and living in Hatfield, Hertfordshire when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
After enlisting, john became Private 4/7002, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
His medal card confirms that he entered France on the 17th August 1915, but conflicts with some information as it records that died of wounds and not killed in action.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914, in the first List of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Hedger, John. St. Albans Road. 4th Beds.” and then in August 1917: Hatfield Roll of Honour, Our deepest sympathy goes out to families of . . . . . . . . John Hedger, reported missing in Sept. last, is now reported Killed in Action."
Awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hedger (Mother) of St Albans Road, Newtown, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
