J GILL

John was born 8th April 1878 in Painswick, Gloucestershire, England to Albert and Mary Gill. He had on brother, Charles, 4 sisters, Thirza, Elizabeth, Ann, Emily & Sarah. And half-sisters, Florence, Ada & Doris.

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In 1881 John is 3 and lives in Sheepscomb. His parents are listed as Farmer Labourers. Thirza is 8, Charles 5, John 3 & Elizabeth 1.

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February 14th, 1900, John enlisted in Risca to join the South Wales Borderers as Private 16028. October 17th of the same year John served in South Africa until November 11th, 1902. November 12th, 1902 – January 10th, 1908, he served in India.

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His records show he was home January 11th, 1908 – February 13th, 1912. In this time, he married Mabel Horne April 1910.

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In 1911 he lived in Penrhiwceiber, Rhondda Cynon Taf, with Mabel and their daughter Virtue May, 1.

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John & Mable welcomed a son, William Henry Gill, October 1912.

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“Mabel died from pneumonia a fortnight after my Grandfather William Henry Gill was born. William and his sister Virtue May were looked after by Mabel's sister Elizabeth in Merthyr. I think John William moved from Penrhiwceiber to Troedrhiwfuwch to be nearer to his children. My mother said that her father told her that his father John used to visit them every weekend. All his army pay and his next of kin went to his sister-in-law Elizabeth.” Andrea Richards – Great Grand daughter

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John Enlisted for war in Newport as Sapper 86555, 170th Tunnelling Coy, Royal Engineers. John entered Theatre 2nd May 1915 and was presumed dead 18th March 1916 in France. Date of notification 8th April 1916. He is remembered with honour at Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 4 & 5.

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Due to John serving in War, and the death of his wife Mabel, guardianship of the children was given to immediate family. Virtue May was under the guardianship of Mabel’s sister Elizabeth Ann and her husband Edmund George Payne living in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil. William Henry was under the guardianship of Mabel’s Brother Albert and his wife Ethel Horne living in Penpedairheol, Hengoed, Near Gelligaer.