Fallen Soldiers
John Saggerson NAYLOR
|
Regiment
Rank / Number
Date of Birth
Date of Death
Grave / Memorial
Rainhill remembers on . . .
|
South Wales Borderers
Sergeant / 40501
1894
31st July 1917 aged 23
|
Although born in Rainhill in 1894, the 1901 Census has 7 year old John living with parents Walter and Mary at 128, Mill Lane, Sutton with siblings Walter Osborne (13), Lillian (11) and two year old Jessie.
By 1911, the family had moved to perhaps a bigger house at 96, New Street, Sutton as the family had increased with the arrival of Dorothy who was then aged 4. The Census records 17 year old John as being a 'scholar'.
Although listed as residing in St. Helens, records show that he actually enlisted in the South Wales Borderers at Southampton. The reason for this may be found in the fact that he had previously served with the Hampshire Regiment which indicates that he may have already been a regular soldier when war started.
He is recorded as 'killed in action' on Tuesday, 31st, July 1917 age 23 and is commemorated on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial and on the All Saints War Memorial in Sutton. His name also appears on the family grave in St. Ann’s Churchyard, Rainhill.
At a special ceremony at the Warrington Road Cenotaph on Sunday 3rd July 2016, Rainhill village dedicated a new plaque bearing the names of 17 men with Rainhill connections who perished during WW1. These men's histories were found during Rainhill Civic Society's research. Rainhill Parish Council funded the plaque and organised the ceremony with Rainhill Civic Society, our local Churches and the Royal British Legion. John Saggerson Naylor is one of those names.
Source: St. Helens Rolls of Honour
The name of John Saggerson Naylor is inscribed on the Menin Gate in Ypres.