Name
Jack (John) Scales Lisles
27 May 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16930
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DATCHWORTH (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, Datchworth Village Memorial, All Saints Church Memorial, Datchworth
Pre War
Jack was born in Datchworth in 1888 and the son of Joseph & Susan Lisles of 9, Brampton Park Rd., Hitchin. He was registered as Jack Scales Lisles - Scales was his mother’s surname and she was probably related to Herbert Scales (qv).
In 1901 he was at home at Holly Bush cottages, Datchworth. with parents and his father's occupation was ploughman. Jack was recorded as John. In 1911 he was living with his widowed mother at the same address and working as a farm labourer; his first name is shown as Jack.
He had been born in Datchworth, but was living in Hitchin where he enlisted. He was unmarried. He had worked at the Hitchin Urban District Council sewage farm before enlisting.
Wartime Service
He volunteered in September 1914 and joined the 8th Battalion of the Regiment with the Regimental Number 16930.
He arrived in France 30.08.1915 and fought in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Loos and on the Somme (Sep 1916) in the failed attack on the Quadrilateral, part of the Battle of Flers-Courcelltte (poor Artillery barrage and lack of tanks), where he was severely wounded. He was invalided home to a military hospital in Bristol but died of his wounds. He is interred in Datchworth Churchyard.
His wounds are likely to be the result of action on the 21st September 1916, the Battalion had moved back to Guillemont and dug in at the north-east corner south of the railway in support of the Buffs. The three days following were spent in preparing assembly trenches for a further attack.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. S. Lisles, of 9, Brampton Park Rd., Hitchin, ordered his headstone inscription: "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling". It is believed that his mother moved to Datchworth. It is believed that his mother moved to Datchworth. War Gratuity of £8 10s & arrears of £3 19s 9d paid to Mother, Susan.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, June Colegrove, Adrian Pitts, Pat Bird, Jonty Wild
