JOHN THOMAS SHEPHARD 1889–1965

 

Photograph courtesy of the family

(Shepherd on attestation papers, 1918 electoral register and some later documents)

Brother of George, who was killed in the war

Born 26th March 1889 in Barnstone, Notts. (registered as John Thomas, known as Tom)

Baptised 28th April 1889 at St Andrew’s Church, Langar

Married Helen Clayton on 7th May 1916 at St. Matthias Church, Nottingham.

Kathleen born 1916, Constance Mary born 6.12.1917, baptised 15.2.1918 (father on active service in baptismal record), James born 1920, John born 11.5.1922, Joan born 1926, George born 29.2.1928, Florence born 1929, Betty born 1932 and Dennis born 1937.

Died 1965, Bingham district, age 76.

1891 Census

Age 2 living on Lime Road in Barnstone with father George, a labourer, mother Mary, brother Ernest 6 and sisters Gertrude and Florrie 4. His name is given as Thomas J. Shephard on the census form.

1901 Census

Age 12 living in Barnstone with father George, a steam crane driver, mother Mary, brothers Ernest 15, George J. 4 and sisters Gertrude and Florence 14, Mabel 9 and Kate 6. John Thomas’ name is recorded as Tom.

1911 Census

Age twenty-two, name is recorded as Thomas, a labourer at the lime and cement works, living in Barnstone with mother Mary, a widow, his brother George James, whose name is on the Radcliffe on Trent War memorial as George Sheppard, (recorded as James Shephard on the census form), and his sister Gertrude with her son Dennis George. Gertrude was married to William Kettleband, a Radcliffe on Trent serviceman.

Military Service

Rank: Gunner

Service number: 188865

Military Unit: 85 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry 6.5.18.

Attested: 30th Nov 1915 in Nottingham

Age 26 years 8 months. Occupation: Engine driver Blue Lias Lime works, Barnstone. Religion: Wesleyan.

Medical history form: Height 5ft 11¾ins, weight 154 lbs, chest 38½ins. Physical development: Good.

Next of kin at date of attestation: Mary Shepherd, mother, Barnstone

The form has been amended later to show next of kin as his wife Helen (née Clayton), Bailey Lane, Radcliffe on Trent. Children Kathleen Emily May born 8.5.16, Constance Mary born 6.12.17. On the front of John Thomas’s attestation paper ‘Rockley Cottage, Bailey Lane’ has been added later.

1.12.15:  To Army Reserve

14.1.18: Mobilised

16.1.18: Posted to Royal Garrison Artillery, Ripon

30.1.18: Posted to R.G.A. Bettisfield Park

7.3.18: Posted to No.3 Siege Battery R.G.A

15.3.19: Posted to 450 Siege Battery

5.5.18: Posted to British Expeditionary Force  France; disembarked 6.5.18

12.5.18: Posted to 85 Siege Battery from Base, in the Field

22.2.19 – 8.3.19: Leave to UK via Calais

29.5.19; Posted to 248 Siege Battery

12.8.19: Examined at Echtz in Germany: Statement of disability: No disability

12.8.19: Proceeded to Concentration camp for dispersal

17.8.19: Medical category A1

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register

Tom Shepherd: Bailey Lane, Lamcote Cottages, Radcliffe on Trent

1921 Census

Address: Bailey Lane, Radcliffe

Employment: Builder’s labourer, W and J Simons, Gordon Road, West Bridgford

Household: mother Mary, wife Helen, daughters Kathleen and Constance and son James, Gertrude John’s sister, her husband William Kettleband who is also employed by Simons builders, and their son George.

1922 Electoral Register

Address: Bailey Lane Radcliffe on Trent

Household: living with mother Mary

1939 Register

Address: Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent

Occupation: Steam Locomotive Driver, Heavy British Sugar Corporation Work

Household: living with wife Helen, daughter Constance, working for Boots, son John Thomas, apprentice painter, son George, at school, Bernard Donaghy, public works contractors, labourer, Robert Wilkinson, bricklayer

Other Information

When his sister Edith Florence Shepherd of 23, Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent died on 30th April 1953, John Thomas Shepherd, foreman, was administrator of her will.

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

He has a Radcliffe on Trent address in 1918. His brother’s name is on Radcliffe on Trent War Memorial.