Service Number 68348
Service Army
Battalion 164 'P' Company
Regiment Royal Defence Corps
Rank | Number | Unit |
Private | 15036 | 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment |
Biography
John William 'Jack' Sargent, was born on the 20th February 1889 in Scotterthorpe, Lincolnshire, the son of Henry (a farm labourer from Tetney) and Sarah (nee Bird of Ulceby). Jack was the brother of John Sargent, listed elsewhere on this site, and John's page explains the link to Collingham. Jack was aged only 7 when his mother died in 1896, aged just 29.
Jack became a collier.
He enlisted at Gainsborough on 15th January 1915 as Private 15036 John William Sargent, and was sent to Lincoln camp. He moved to Swanick in February and Whittington in April. His unit, 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment were sent to Gallipoli, arriving on the 22nd September 1915. In December 1915/January 1916, the British evacuated Gallipoli and the 6th Lincolnshire Regiment moved to Egypt until July 1916 when they transferred to the Western Front in France.
On 17th September 1916, Jack suffered a gun shot wound to the left wrist and he was hospitalised back in the UK until the 27th January 1917. His medical report stated:-
'...considerable loss (of) grip, unable to clench fist tightly... limited movement joints'
At some point Jack was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps and served as an Acting Lance Corporal in 164 'P' Company. The Royal Defence Corps was generally formed of men either too old or medically unfit for active front-line service. The role of the corps was to provide troops for security and guard duties inside the United Kingdom; guarding important locations such as ports or bridges. It also provided independent companies for guarding prisoner-of-war camps.
He was discharged from the Army on the 21st June 1918 as a result of these wounds and he received The Silver War Badge (429813).
Jack married Elizabeth A. ('Cissy') Graham at Flimby near Maryport, Cumbria, and later moved with his family to live at Collingham near Wetherby. He died in 1968 aged 78.
An obituary was published in the Collingham Parish Magazine:
Biography last updated 07 January 2020 13:52:00.
Sources
1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 20118
The Collingham Parish Magazine May 1968
First World War Medal Index Cards. The National Archives (WO372).
First World War Medal Index Rolls. The National Archives (WO329).
Pension Record Cards and Ledgers. Case number 2/M S/221
If you have any photographs or further details about this person we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us via: alan.berry@collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info