WW1 Casualty: Lance Corporal 6357 John Mercer - Lance Corporal 6357 John Mercer
| Unit/Regiment |
9th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers |
| Date of Death |
12/08/1915 |
Age at Death |
36 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
East Mudros Military Cemetery
II D 65 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Son of James and Elizabeth Mercer. Born at Prescot, Lancs. |
| Census Details |
1891 Census -
The Mercer family lived at 9, Pottery Place, Prescot and comprised father James, a 50 year old Colliery Labourer, mother Elizabeth (43) and children Thomas (17), Jane (14), John (11), Ellen (9), Margaret (7) and William (3).
1901 - 21 years old 'Pit Labourer' John, his mother and two siblings are boarding at the home of brother-in-law James Spark of 22, Springfield Row, Thatto Heath, St Helens.
The household consists of: James Spark (28), Jane Spark (nee Mercer 25), Thomas Spark (2), William Spark (4 mths). Elizabeth Mercer (53), John Mercer (21), Margaret Mercer (17), William Mercer (13) and Peter Hurst (uncle to head 63).
1911 - Sees 32 years old 'Day Wage Drawer (Coal)' John living at 17 Ellisons Square, Thatto Heath, St Helens with widowed mother Elizabeth (62) and brother William (23). |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
St Helens, Lancs |
| How Died |
Died of Wounds |
Theatre of War |
Gallipoli |
| Notes |
CWGC records show that Pte Mercer's details were provided by Mrs J Spark of 30, Fir Street, Thatto Heath. The extract (below) from the Register of Soldiers Effects shows that this was his sister, Jane |
| Research Ref. No. |
P199 |
Service DetailsJohn Mercer was born in June 1879 in Prescot, the soem of James and Elizabeth Mercer
Although Pte Mercer's Medal Card (shown below) lists that he arrived in the Dardanelles Theatre of War (2b) on 11th July 1915, I believe his unit were actually in Gibralter on that date, making their way to Malta (14th July) then Alexandria (17th July). then on to Lemnos on 21st July and Imbros (23rd July), where they undertook their final training.
I believe they finally landed on Gallipoli on the morning of 8th August, where they were met with stiff Turkish resistance, which continued over the next few days.
It isn't possible to determine exactly where or when Pte Mercer was wounded, but he was evacuated to Mudros on the island of Lemnos, where he died of his wounds on 12th August. He was one of around 75 men of the Battalion who fell in the first 12 days of the fighting, and 251 who died in August 1915
John Mercer's Medal Index Card
Pte Mercer was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal
Pte Mercer's record on the Register of Soldiers Effects
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