John Henry Brockwell

John Henry was the son of John Brockwell and his wife Clara (nee Hatfield). John Brockwell was born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, and Clara Hatfield in Nottingham. They were married in 1893 (O/N/D) Nottingham and according to the 1911 Census had had six children of whom only four were still living. Five children were named on the census between 1901 and 1911: John Henry b. 1895 (J/A/S Nottingham), Elsie May b. 1899 (A/M/J Nottingham) died 1904 (A/M/J Nottingham) aged 5 years, Agnes b. 1900 (O/N/D Nottingham), Arthur b. 1904 (A/M/J Nottingham) and William Edward b. 1909 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1901 John Brockwell (30), a parchment maker, and Clara (27) were living at 4 Napoleon Square, Nottinghan, with their three children, John Henry (5), Elsie (1) and Agnes (7 months). By 1911 John (40), who was still working as a parchment maker, and Clara (38) were living at 39 Queen's Drive, Meadows, Nottingham, with their four surviving children; John Henry (15) an errand boy for a dyers and cleaners firm; Agnes (10), Arthur (7) and William (2).

In 1911 he was an errand boy for a dyers and cleaners firm. He was later employed by the Midland Railway as a number taker.

He enlisted at Boyton Camp and gave his residence as Nottingham

'P' 34th TM Bty. John Henry enlisted on 24 April 1915 at the age of 19 and embarked for France in January 1916, joining 'P' Battery on 10 June. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Armistice Day 2018: Details of Driver Brockwell's military career displayed at the Midland Railway memorial, Nottingham. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Clara, was his sole legatee.