Name
Bernard Francis Fitzjohn
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/11/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47652
Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)
17th Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GAZA WAR CEMETERY
X. E. 6.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
Bernard Francis was born in Harpenden in 1887, the younger son of George Fitzjohn, a coachman, and Cecilia (nee Gray) of High street, Harpenden.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Etna Road, St Albans. In 1911 His parents lived at the Institute, Wheathampstead Road. Harpenden. Bernard was working as a railway clerk in London. He joined the 3/1 Hertfordshire Yeomanry as private 1629 on 10 Mar 1914. Bernard married Lucy Agnes Symonds in early 1916.
Wartime Service
Soon after the outbreak of war Bernard went to Egypt with 3/1 Herts Yeomanry on 10 Sep 1914 taking part in the Gallipoli Landings (Suvla Bay)in 1915 and returning to UK on 1 Jul 1916. Bernard was posted 1/1 Herts Yeomanry 'B' Sqn in France on 13 Aug 1916.
Being wounded on 5 Oct 1916 he was repatriated to UK on 17 Oct 1916. On 2 Mar 1917 he was transferred to Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) as Private 47652 and after training left for Egypt 11 Jun 1917 to Join 17 Squadron MGC (Cav) on campaign in Palestine.
He died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen on 14 Nov 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History
Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
