John Taylor Gledhill

Private 40858. 16th Battalion (Bradford Pals) West Yorkshire Regiment.

Formerly, 29/706. Northumberland Fusiliers.

Born: 1884.

Son of Joe and Clara, of 38 Handel St.

Address :33 Knowle Bank, Golcar.

Occupation: Weaver at George Mallinson & Sons, Linthwaite.

Enlisted 21st May 1916.

Died 24th July 1917. Aged 33. In a German prison camp.

Buried at Valenciennes Communal Cemetery. Plot 4. Row D, Grave 27.

He was a popular member of Golcar Cricket and Bowling Club and St. John's Church. An article appeared in the newspaper on 23rd March 1917 saying that "Joe would be glad to receive information regarding his eldest son John aged 33, whose fate at the time of writing is uncertain. The family have had no direct news, but in two cases, parcels have been sent, and acknowledged by a comrade who stated that John was reported wounded on 17th February."

John had been officially reported missing after an engagement on 27th February 1917, but no information of his whereabouts came until 22 weeks later, when he wrote home to say he was a prisoner in Germany and was in good health. Several letters had been received from him.

A further article on 30th March said that John's parents had "received a letter saying that he had been admitted to a hospital in France on 10th March, but the family were still in the dark as to the nature of his wounds or illness." His parent's then had a letter from a Scottish soldier who was in the same prisoner of war camp as John, saying he had been taking care of him in his illness. No details of the nature of the illness were mentioned.