This site commemorates the men and women of Collingham, Linton and Micklethwaite who served during World War 1.
Sargent, John William
(1889-1968)
 

Rank and Unit at End of World War One

Rank Lance Corporal

Service Number 68348

Service Army

Battalion 164 'P' Company

Regiment Royal Defence Corps

Other service during World War One
Information from Medal Index Cards (WO372), Medal Rolls (WO329), Service Records (WO363) and/or Pension Records (WO364) held by The National Archives.
Rank Number Unit
Private 15036 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Pre-war Occupation*/marital status**

Trade or Occupation pre-war: Farm waggoner
Marital status: Single


* Taken from attestation papers or 1911 census
** Marital status on enlistment or at start of war
Connection with Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite and reason for inclusion on this web site
  • Ex-service man who moved to Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite after the war, or (in the case of service men who were killed in the war) whose family moved to the villages after the war.

Biography

Family background

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.

Service record

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).

After the war

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:

Collingham Parish Magazine

JOHN WILLIAM SARGENT

The death of John, as he was known to most of us, breaks another link in the chain of Church workers. It is 40 years since the family first came to Collingham to one of the cottages in Church Lane; he very soon took the office of Verger, a position he held for 25 years serving under three vicars. Quiet and unassuming he had one pace and steadily carried out his many duties. One remebers that Church Finance was not affluent as today and make-shift tools and an out-of-date lawn mower only were available. John was present at most Services in Church. Gardening was his hobby; he took a great interest in the local Flower Show and was an active member of the Bowling Club. He died in hospital and was cremated. We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Sargent and Betty and to Tom and his family.

 

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