WW1 Casualty: Lance Corporal A/3036 John Ferrisey - Lance Corporal A/3036 John Ferrisey
| Unit/Regiment |
8th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Date of Death |
03/08/1915 |
Age at Death |
34 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Menin Gate
Panels 51 & 53 |
| Census Details |
1911 Census -
30 year old John Ferrisey was a boarder at 28 Kemble Street, Prescot, the home of Margaret McDonald and her four children |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Marriage to Mary Beesley registered Q3/1912, Prescot, 8b, 1457 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
St. Mary’s, Cardiff |
| Enlisted |
Birmingham |
| Resided |
Prescot |
| How Died |
Killed in Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P100 |
Service DetailsIt isn't clear when John Ferrisey arrived in Prescot from Wales, but the 1911 census entry, placing him in Kemble Street, is the first official record I could find.
He married Mary Beesley at the Registry Office in Prescot on July 19th 1912. They had two sons; Frank was born in 1912 but died after two months, and John, born in early 1914 who also died, aged 4, in January 1918. Both sons are buried in St Mary's Churchyard
At the time, the family's address was shown as 3, Sewell Street, Prescot
He joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 28th August 1914 in WInchester, and his Medal Index Card, shown below, records that he arrived in France on 19th May 1915.
The battalion diary for the 8th Bn., Kings Royal Rifle Corps shows that in July and August 1915, they were rotated in and out of the trenches in the Ypres Salient. Place names included at the time are Zouave Wood, Ypres, Poperinghe, Sanctuary Woods, and other names evoking memories of the grim life of the Ypres Salient.
At the time Pte. Ferrisey was killed, there were no major action underway, simply the daily grind of trench warfare. The diary around the time of this death reads as follows:-
'Saturday July 31
Returned to rest camps at G4D, Sheet 28, from Sanctuary Wood. Captain Blane given command of 'C' Company.
Sunday August 1st
Church Parade
Monday August 2nd
A, B and C Companies get baths at Poperinghe in the morning. The Battalion relieves 9th Rifle Brigade in H Sector, leaving rest camp in motor buses at 8.00 p.m. Captain Campbell ill (invalided to England), command of D Company given to Captain Barber. Two companies Shropshire Light Infantry under command of O.C. 8th KRRC. 150 7th Rifle Brigade & 4 officers attached to KRRC for tour of duty in trenches. The battalion is temporarily attached to 42nd Brigade. Right sector under command of Colonel Green.
Tuesday 3rd August, Trenches opposite Bellewaarde
Communication by telephone with firing line completely broken. A Company occupies H16 & H15, B Company occupies H14 and H13, C Company H12 & CS 11, D Company S5, S6. Two companies of KSLI in G4 & S3. Major Jordan, senior officer of KSLI. Damage to trenches. 13 Casualties.
Wednesday 4th August
Casualties from whiz bangs in A & D Company. During this tour of duty, A company suffers the most casualties. Major Gunn writes a report to General Markham. Damage to trenches built up at night.38 casualties.'
Lance Corporal Ferrisey will have been one of the 13 casualties reported for 3rd August. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial.
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917
Pte Ferrisey's Medal Index Card, confirming his entitlement to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
His widow, Mary, acknowledged receipt of the medals on 20th July 1920 (1915 Star) and April 30th 1921 (War & Victory Medals)
John Ferrisey's inscription on the Menin Gate
The Register of Soldiers Effects, shown below, confirms Pte Ferrisey's next of kin as his wife, Mary
A list of the effects of Pte Ferrisey which were returned to his widow.
Mary had another son, Harry Ferrisey, in 1919 and then in 1923, she married Robert Roberts ion Prescot. The 1939 National Register, shown below, records the family at 35 Houghton Street, Prescot.
Pte Ferisey is also commemorated on the BICC Memorial
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