Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1879 in the Atherton R.D. - ref: 6d/453,
the son of Joseph & Hannah E. Villiers.    Baptised on the 10th August 1879
 at St. Editha's P.C. Polesworth.

1881 Census - 39 Bridge Street, Polesworth, Warwickshire.   Son - aged: 1 -
born: Polesworth, Warwickshire.   Head of household - Joseph Villiers -
Married - aged: 41 - occ: Blacksmith's Labourer - born: Polesworth.    Also
- Hannah E. Villiers - Wife - aged: 35 - born: Upton, Leicestershire.

1891  Census - No Trace.

His father - Joseph Villiers died in 1891 aged: 52.   Following Joseph's
death his mother ran a series of sweet shops and confectioners.

1901 Census - No Trace.

1911 Census - No Trace.

From St. Martin's P.C. Magazine - John had trained as a boatbuilder and by
the turn of the century was working in the Stoke-on-Trent area, lodging in
Bursiem. On the same road, where her father ran his own business from home,
lived Olive Blanche Tittensor. She was a school teacher. They married on
the 22nd October 1901 at St. Paul's, Bursiem. The following year Olive gave
birth to a daughter, named Olive after her. Sadly baby Olive died fairly
soon after birth. This may have affected their relationship as much as it
affected them individually, as in all future references they are living in
separate houses miles apart. Olive was still in Bursiem, living at her
sister's and still working as a teacher. John had gone back to the
Polesworth area, living in nearby Dordon. At some point between 1911 and
1914 he moved again, this time to Ashton-upon-Mersey. Again the details of
where and why were lost when his Army Service Records were destroyed in the
blitz. He was living here when war broke out, but went to Chester to
enlist. A further measure of the separation between him and Olive was the
fact that he nominated his mother as his sole legatee.

John joined the Royal Field Artillery and, after training, crossed to
France in late September 1915. He was posted to "B' Battery of the RFA's
112th Brigade. This Unit was heavily involved throughout their time in
France and Belgium, especially on the Somme. By late July 1917 they were
very much in the thick of the preparations for the imminent battle of
Ypres. It was during this that John was wounded.
John Villiers died of his wounds on Tuesday the 31st of July 1917, at a
Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek, Belgium. He was 38 years old. He
is buried at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium. He is also
commemorated on the Great War Memorial at St. Editha's
Church, Polesworth.

M.I. - "He rests in peace".

CWGC - Son of Hannah E. Villiers of 47 Grendon Road, Polesworth, Tamworth.