In Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of Lieutenant Colonel John Ralph Hedley, D.S.O., MiD., serving with the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, Commanding 5th Battalion Border Regiment who died 15/07/1917.

The son of John and Anne Hedley and the husband of Ada Marie Hedley, of Westgate House, Hornsea, East Yorks.

Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:

Lieutenant Colonel John Ralph HEDLEY DSO
Northumberland Fusiliers
6th Battalion (Territorial)
Commanding Border Regiment 5th Battalion

The Son of John Hedley and Anne Hedley (nee Bainbridge) he was born on the 21st March 1871. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne. He enlisted into the Northumberland Fusiliers in January 1901; Major 1912; Lieutenant Colonel 11th November 1915. He was an Auctioneer of Eshott Hall, Felton, Northumberland with a business address at 71 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. He was Initiated into Percy Lodge, No 1427, Province of Northumberland on the 18th January 1898 aged 26 years when his address was given as 6 Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne; Passed 15th March 1898 and Raised on the 20th September 1898. He was the Worshipful Master in 1903. He was a Joining Member of Victoria Commemoration Reserve Forces Lodge No 2666, Newcastle upon Tyne, Province of Northumberland on the 15th February 1906 resigning on 30th September 1911 and also a Joining Member of Humber Installed Masters Lodge No 2494 Hull, Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings on the 6th March 1914. He was the husband of Ada Marie Hedley of Westgate House, Hornsea, East Yorkshire.

He was awarded the DSO on the 3rd June 1916, was killed in action on the 15th July 1917 aged 46. He is buried in Bacquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, Pas De Calais, France, Grave Reference I.L.16.

John Ralph Hedley is remembered in Eshott on E28.01, in Jesmond on J1.04 and J1.19 page 31 and in Newcastle upon Tyne on NUT137 and NUT147.