John Fred's Story.
John Fred Baskerville was born in 1899, one of seven children born to John and Mary Ann Baskerville of Holly Cottage Marthall, Cheshire. He worked as a farm labourer. He later moved to Siddington, Cheshire.
He enlisted in the army, becoming Private no 12691 (later re-numbered to 242530) of the 2/6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal.
John was killed in action on the 24th August 1917.
On that fateful day:
The war diary states:
21/8/17 to 27/8/17 BEACON TRENCH and BOCHE TRENCH
The Battn remained in the line during this time. A large amount of work was done on the trenches. We were heavily shelled by the enemy on the night of the 22nd and also the evening of the 26th. (No mention is made of any action on the 24th) Gas shells were used during these bombardments.
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies
Cheshire County Memorial Project thank Albert and Susan Jones for the picture of John's Headstone