John's Story.
John was born in Sale, Cheshire in 1891. He lived with his father Richard, a farm labourer, and his mother Sarah Ann at 20 Moorfield Place. He had 5 brothers, Harold, William, Edward, Alfred & Frederick, and a sister Lucy. By 1901 they were living at 358 Northenden Row, Sale. They later moved to 23 Lindow Street. John was now a domestic gardener. He married Hilda Mary Hurst in 1913. They had a son John Frederick.John enlisted in Sale, originally into the Army Service Coprs. He was a motorcycle despatch rider. He was later transferred to the 13th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He died of wounds received in action on the 10th May 1918.
The Nantwich Guardian reported: 17/5/1918
Gratrix- On My 10th. Died of wounds, received in action on the 25th April, aged 27, Pte John Gratrix Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
"Dear son of my bosom, you sleep with the brave, where no tears of a mother can drop on your grave. In a foreign field, in a land far away.
Still our tribute of love thy memory we will pay. Deeply mourned by father, mother and brothers, Lindow Street, Sale.
Researcher: Darryl Porrino