Private John Learwood Griffiths
| Date of Birth | c. 1892 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 23 |
| Date of Death | 7 October 1916 |
| Service Number | 531951 |
| Military Service | 1/15 Battalion London Regiment |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
John was born in Tooting in 1892 to Charles and Maria Griffiths. In 1901 when John was 9 years of age, the family were living at 12 Recovery Road, Tooting. Theirs was a large family and his siblings were Emily aged 21, Charles 19, Eliza 17, Frederick 14, Clara 12, Arthur 7, Albert 4 and young Florrie aged 2. By 1911 the family were living at 29 Khartoum Road, Tooting and John was working as a General Labourer. His father was a Night Watchman for Wandsworth Borough Council. Most of the elder children had left home.
John served with the 1/15th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles). During 1916, his battalion would have taken part in various battles, including the German attack at Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and the Battle of the Transloy Ridges.
It is likely that John was killed in action on 7 October, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges (1-20 October 1916). He has no known grave and he is commemorated at THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. He is also commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial.