On The Roll of Honour
John was born in Badwell Ash in 1881. His parents were Alfred and Eliza Muskett (née Morley).
In the 1891 Census John was aged 10 and living in Sadlers Yard, Badwell Ash. His father Alfred, aged 49, an Agricultural labourer; his mother Eliza, aged 31; and his siblings: Harry aged 8, Elizabeth E, aged 6, Albert, aged 3; and Anna, aged 8 months. The children were all at school.
In the 1901 Census John was now aged 19 and an Agricultural Labourer. His father, Alfred, was aged 60, an Army Pensioner and a Road Labourer. Harry, his brother, aged 17, was a Servant as was his sister, Elizabeth, aged 15, a Domestic Servant; Albert, aged 12 and Anna, aged 10 were still at school.
In the 1911 census: John, now aged 29 and a Farm labourer is shown as living with his widowed mother, Eliza, aged 50 in White Horse Yard, Badwell Ash. Presumably, the other children had left home. His father, Alfred had died in April 1907 aged 64 and is buried in the Richer Road cemetery.
Military and War: According to John’s Service Record on 11th April 1901 at the age of 19 years 6 months, John enlisted in London as a Private No: 9549 in the Grenadier Guards. On 11th April 1908, now aged 26, he transferred to the Reserve Grenadier Guards. On 28th December 1912, he re-engaged in the Grenadier Guards.
For the month, November to December 1914, at the age of 33 he became part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. Between September 1915 and June 1916 he had a further spell in France doing the same job by which time he was 35. On 25th August 1916 he was discharged under King’s Regulations (Para 392 –xvi) because he was wounded and No longer fit for War Service.
In 1917 he was awarded the Silver War Badge (No: 44517) and also had gained the Star, War and Victory medals.
John’s brother, George, a Company Sergeant Major in the 17th Battalion Kings (Liverpool Regiment) Regimental was Killed in Action on Tuesday, 4th May 1915.
Post War: There is no record after the war of John having married. He died in on the 3rd March 1927 at the age of 46 and is buried in the Richer Road cemetery.
