Biography of Private John Henry Cannell (7583)
1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Regiment
Died 14th September 1914

Mother

• Name: Maria Jarvis
• DOB: 1843
• Place Of Birth: Old Cotton, Norfolk, England
• Marriage: 1873 Loddon District

• None found

Wife’s parents

• Father: Arthur Elenezer Neville
• Mother: Louisa Hawes

Newspaper Mentions

• Grantham Journal 17th October 1914
  PRIVATE J. H. CANNELL KILLED IN ACTION
  Our Dowsby correspondant writes :- Ours is the sorrowful duty this week to chronicle the death of one of our most esteemed and loyal inhabitants. We refer to Private J H Cannell, who was killed in action at the front on the 14th September; the exact place is at present unknown. He belonged to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light infantry, his number was 7583. The notification of his decease was only received here on Friday evening week, when it came from headquarters, and when the news became known it caused quite a gloom to be spread, not only in this village, but in all who knew him, for he possessed a most amiable disposition, and had a kind word for everyone.  Steady, upright and fearless in dealing with mankind, he will be much missed by all his acquaintances. He was among the foremost to leave this district in the early stages of the present war, and now his name is numbered with other heroes in the roll of honour who have sacrificed all for their country and the freedom of Europe. Who could wish for a better epitaph?  It is hard for us to realize that we have lost him, but it is not for us to murmur, we shall remember him as a patriotic Britisher, and one who set an example which ought to shame all able-bodied single young men, for he was willing at the call of duty to leave his wife and child, a happy home, and all who loved him dearly, to find his rest in a grave of honour within a foreign land. A fine type of soldier he was, always ready to fulfill his duties faithfully, and when he received the “call to advance” to a far more glorious life, we fell he sure he did not falter. His age was 31 years, and he leaves a young widow and a daughter just over a year old to mourn their loss, and all hearts will extend them their sympathy in the hour of their deep sorrow. The poignancy of it all is that in a few months his time would have expired in the Army, for he joined twelve years ago. He had been in the employ of Alderman A.W. Dean J.P., of Dowsby Hall, as chauffeur, and his services in that capacity were valued, his parents reside at Careby, near Stamford. He was an attendant at our Parish Church and on Sunday, at both services the Rev. Gordon MacMorran, Rector, made feeling references to the deceased. In the morning, he preached from the text, St. Luke xii, 34, “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also,” and at evensong he delivered a most eloquent sermon from St. John xi, part of the 28th verse, “The master is come, and calleth for thee.”  There was scarcely a dry eye in the congregation. Special hymns were sung, and the services throughout were of the most impressive and reverent character.

• Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 21st October 1914
  ROLL Of HONOUR – Five Bourne district men have now shed their blood and died for their country in the present war.  They are: Private J. H. Cannell (Dowsby), Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry: Lce Corpl, Tuckwood, a native of Langtoft, Lincolnshire Regiment: Sergt. Bates, of Bourne, Lincolnshire Regiment: Private E. Head, a native of Billingborough, ambulance section Grenadier Guards:  Able Seaman Tom Knowles of Morton, Torpedo boat No 7 drowned.  Those who have answered the call of their country from Dowsby are Private John Cannell (killed in action), Arthur Hill, Bert Taylor, Ted Markham, Ernest Featherstone, Sam Jackson, Elma Pateman and Fred Beehoo.

• Grantham Journal Saturday 24th October 1914
  THE WAR – In addition to the names of those already mentioned in the making of soldiers’ and sailors’ garments are to be added Mrs. Wright, Mes. H. R. Taylor, Mrs. E. A. HAmpton, Mrs. W. Wyles, Mrs. A. Bernard, Mrs. A. Daff and Miss. Ada Coddington.  Five men from this district have now died for their country, viz:- Pte. J. H. Cannell (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry), Sergt. Bates, of Bourne (Lincolnshire Regiment), Lance Corporal Tuckwood, native of Langtoft (Lincolnshire Regiment), Pte. E. Head, native of Billingborough (Ambulance Section, Grenadier Guards), Able Seaman Tom KNowles, Of Morton (No. 7 torpedo Boat), drowned.

Military Records

Medals

• The British Medal
  The Victory Medal

Memorials

• UK:
• Dowsby, Roll of Honour in St Andrew’s Church

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
• In memory of Private John Henry Cannell, 7583, 1st Bn., Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Regiment who died on 14 September 1914
• Remembered with honour, La Fert-Sous-Jouarre Memorial

© BNA

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

Military Service Timeline

• Enlist in London

• This is ongoing research and will be posted when completed

Sources

• WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• British Newspaper Archive.