John Gilbert Fallowfield

Biography

John Gilbert Fallowfield was born in the Summer of 1885 at Middleshaw Cottage, Old Hutton though his parents later moved to Church View, Natland. His parents were John and Elizabeth and he had a brother William. John the father was a farm labourer.

John Gilbert left home at a comparatively early age. By 15 he was living at 43 Stramongate and was employed by Ellen Webb the proprietor of a local public house. His duties were both domestic and as a stable boy. At a later stage he had moved to 25 Ranmoor Road, Sheffield where he both boarded and was employed as a domestic gardener. On the move again he lived at Broughton Tower, Broughton-in-Furness and still worked as a gardener.

Service Record

It is from Broughton that he travelled the relatively short distance to Millom to enlist which he did on the 6th December 1915. He joined the Border Regiment at five feet six and a half inches in height, thirty four and half inches chest and 122 lbs in weight. His age was given as twenty seven years and six months whereas in reality he must have been thirty.

He was placed in the Reserve and was mobilised as 24208 Private Fallowfield into the Border Regiment on the 29th February 1916. He joined the 10th Battalion but on 26th October was sent to France and to the 7th Battalion transferring again and finally to the 8th Battalion on the 13th November. He appears to have had a few illnesses and/or medical problems while he was with his unit. He seems to have had visits to field hospitals and in particular the main hospital base at Etaples. His last leave was just before Christmas 1917.

How They Died

John Gilbert Fallowfield was killed in an engagement on the 23rd March 1918 aged 33.

Where They Rest

He has no known grave. His death was confirmed in records on the 21st April 1919 and in correspondence with Elizabeth, John’s mother, as late as 1922. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission give his age as 31 but this would be based on earlier inaccuracies. His name is recorded on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial in France and on the Natland War Memorial.