John Mercer

Basra Memorial, Iraq

John Mercer

Private No. 44764

4th Battalion South Wales Borderers.

Died at sea in the Persian Gulf 13 February 1917. Age 36

Commemorated on Basra Memorial, Iraq. Panel 16 and 62.

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Born in Malpas in 1880 (baptised 28th July 1880)

Third son of Henry and Margaret Mercer of High Street, Malpas.

Married Lilian Latham of Sandbach, Cheshire in St Oswald’s Church, Malpas on 8 November 1915.

John was a draper’s assistant, becoming manager for Mr Wardle of Sandbach before enlisting. 

He was a keen amateur horticulturist and exhibitor.

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John died at sea en-route to India with a detachment of his battalion.

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Report in the Chester Chronicle 3 March 1917 regarding the death of John Mercer
"DEATH OF MR. JOHN MERCER. – The sad news arrived on Thursday last from the War Office that Mr. H. Mercer's youngest son, John, had died.
About three weeks ago he was drafted abroad with the South Wales Border Regiment. For some years he was with Mrs. Latham, The Cross, and subsequently became manager for Mr. Wardle, of Sandbach, with whom he was employed when he was called up.
Soon after taking up his residence in Sandbach, he married Miss Latham, oldest daughter of Mrs. Latham, of Malpas.
The deceased was 36 years of age.

Deep sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. H. Mercer and family. PTE. JOHN MERCER DIES AT SEA.
We regret to record that Pte. John Mercer, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mercer, who was attached to the South Wales Borderers, is reported to have died at sea on the 13th ult., while on his way with a detachment of his regiment to India.
He joined up last year and was in training at Kinmel Park.
He was 36 years of age.

He served his time with the late Mr. Morgan as draper, and then passed into the service of Mrs. R. Latham, of Malpas, whose eldest daughter he subsequently married, settling down in Sandbach as manager to Mr. Wardle.
Here, as in Malpas, he won general esteem, and his untimely death is much regretted among a wide circle of friends.
He was a keen horticulturist and exhibitor."

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John Mercer

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