Name
John Bass
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/03/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
406252
Canadian Infantry
18th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RIDGE WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
II. J. 6.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin,
Holy Saviour Church Memorial, Hitchin,
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
St Faith’s Church Memorial, Walsworth
Pre War
John was born in Hitchin on the 30th June 1891. His parents were Frederick and Emma Bass (nee Hull). They were married on 16 April 1887 in Hitchin.
In 1891 the family were living in Hitchin, but unfortunately, we have not deciphered the road name (Skimpod?), however Frederick was working as a labourer. He (40) and Emma (39) had one child, Thomas (3).
In 1901, they were at the same address. Frederick was now a timber merchants’ labourer and now there were 2 more children: John (9) and Violet (6).
Daughter
By 1911 Frederick and Emma had moved to 14 St Michaels Mount, Hitchin. Frederick still working as a timber merchants’ labourer. Of the children only Thomas was present, however the census recorded they had been married for 24 years and all 3 of their children were recorded as living. John has yet to be found in the census.
Before emigrating to Canada, he had worked for W.B. Moss the Hitchin grocers.
Giving his father’s address as Purwell Cottages, Walsworth, he left for Canada in February 1913 on the SS Cymric, arriving in Portland, Maine, with his final destination Toronto. His was travelling with a friend, Fred Watson
After war broke out, he enlisted in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on the 16th April 1915. At the time of his enlistment his next of kin was given as his mother, E Bass of 14 St Michael’s Mount, Hitchin. Upon his marriage this was change to his wife; first at 8 Ickleford Road, Hitchin and then, from 9th May 1916, the 26 Chatsworth Road, Luton, Beds. He was 5’ 6”, fair haired, blue eyed and fair haired.
He married Miss Annie Beatrice Crook in the third quarter of 1915 who was living with an Aunt at 27 Queen Street, Hitchin.
Wartime Service
John held Regimental Number 406252 in the 18th Canadian Infantry.
He had only been in France for two months when he was hit during a bombardment and died four hours later.
Canadian records state that John was killed while manning the trenches and in performance of his duties during a heavy enemy bombardment.
He is buried in Plot 2, Row J, Grave 6 at the Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Voormezele, which is south of Ypres in Belgium near where he fell. The Canadians used this cemetery during the time that they occupied the front line nearby.
Additional Information
John is also commemorated on his parents' headstone in Hitchin Cemetery. His inscription reads:
ALSO JOHN BASS SON OF ABOVE KILLED IN ACTION 2ND MARCH 1916 AGED 24 YEARS
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, National Defence Headquarters, Canada. Paul Johnson, 'The Ypres Salient' by M. Scott. Lawson Thompson Scrapbooks. Herts Express dated 18th March 1916, Cilla Dyson, Jonty Wild
