Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
John was the younger son of William Henry and Mary (nee Brankston) who had 4 children during their marriage although sadly one died. John was born at Cornforth in 1898 and later baptised at Cornforth on April 20th 1898.
In 1901 the family was living at Cornforth Lane. Suffolk born father, William was working as a joiner/carpenter. The young family included sister, Nora and older brother William Henry.
By 1911 Nora had married so only William and John were at home with their parents. At the age of 16 William was already working as a helper up (below ground) at the pit. John was still at school at this time.
John joined the army originally serving with the Durham Light Infantry as service 74255 then later was transferred to the Royal Fusiliers, number GS/100262.
The military records record John as being killed on or about September 21st 1918.
The monies due to him, amounting to £5.10s.6d, went to his father who later received a war gratuity of £5.0s.0d.
John is named on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. This Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
His brother William Henry also fought and died in the Great War being killed by a shell on September 27th 1915 at Loos.
John Brankston Wilby is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and C115 .03, at Coxhoe on C103.01 and C103.03 and at Tursdale on T62.02
