Wounded 4 June 1917
John Henry?
Something like 100 men belonging to Chippenham and the immediate
neighbourhood have laid down their lives in the service of their King and
Country during the three years of the war. Below we give the photo of
Bugler J Hatherell, son of Mr JW and Mrs Hatherell of Lowden Hill.
Bugler Hatherell was formerly employed at the Chippenham Signal Works
but when war broke out - he was only 16 years of age at the time he was
working at Melksham. He joined the Wilts and went to France, where on June
4th, he was severely wounded. He was taken to the base hospital at
Boulogne and hopes were entertained at first that he would recover and it
would be possible to eventually remove him to England but unfortunately he
got worse and on July 4th just a month after he received his wounds he
succumbed. The news was conveyed to the bereaved parents in the following
letter: -
No 13 Base Hospital Boulogne
Dear Mr and Mrs Hatherell: I am indeed most sorry to have to convey to
you the sad news that your dear boy died this afternoon. Yesterday he
seemed a little better, if anything, but he collapsed today. I saw him
early this morning and we said a prayer together, but he quite suddenly,
after dinner got worse and expired in a few minutes. I know how much he
longed to get back home and how much you longed to have him, so I can feel
most sincere sympathy and I pray that our Heavenly Father may pour into
your bleeding hearts His holy comfort and give you strength to bear
bravely such a grievous blow.
Yours faithfully JFA Blandford. Chaplain. July 4th 1917
Out in that foreign field
Lies one we all love well;
We could not hold his dying hand,
We could not say farewell.
"Until the day breaks"
Wilts Times 4 August 1917
In loving memory of our dear son and brother Bugler J Hatherell who
died of wounds in France July 4th 1917.
No one stood beside him to bid him a last farewell
Although his grave is far away, he did his duty well,
He is gone but not forgotten, often we recall his name.
But there is nothing left to answer his name but his photo in the
frame.
Sadly missed by his Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters
Lowden Hill, Chippenham
Wilts Times 22 June 1918
Memorial spells name as Hatherell yet CWGC spell it as Hatherall
Attended Ivy Lane School and was awarded a Swimming certificate in 1911.