Private 10474 John Biswell

1st Bedfordshire Regiment

Killed in Action 27th July 1916

Son of Henry and Louisa Biswell, of "Belconey", Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 2 C.

Born: Leverstock Green

Enlisted: Bedford

Residence: Leverstock Green

John Biswell was born on the 11th of October 1896 in Leverstock Green, Hertfordshire. He joined the Bedfordshire regiment's 1st battalion in November 1914 following basic military training. After joining the battalion he served for 2 years (until his death.)

Due to Biswell being in the 1st battalion he was one of the first men from his regiment to engage in any form of fighting. This meant that Biswell was involved from almost the very beginning of the conflict. Unlike other members of his regiment who would have joined later.

During his brave service he was wounded in April 1915. However, he managed to recover from this injury and continued to serve. John Biswell was killed in action. It is said that he died in heavy machine gun fire iin Longueval, France on the 27th of July 1916. However, the exact time of day that this occurred cannot be specified, as there were several attacks throughout the day.

Biswell was originally posted as missing in action but was later confirmed to be dead. It is understood that John Biswell does not have a specific marked grave. However, he is commemorated in the Thiepval Memorial in France. He also is commemorated in Hertfordshire at the Leverstock Green memorial which is very close to where he grew up.

John Biswell received multiple awards for his time and dedication, these included the 1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp and Roses), British War and Victory Medals.

Sources:

• Hertsatwar.co.uk

• Cwgc.org

• 1st Bedfordshire Regiment War Diary, WO-95-1570

By Huxley Foulkes and Peter Arthur

4th July 2024

Biswell's name on the Thiepval Memorial