John Allan Ormerod

Private 59020
1st/4th Bn, Northamptonshire Regiment

John Allan Ormerod died in Cairo General Hospital, aged 23, on 26 July 1918, and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery (Grave Ref. O. 218).

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register records that he was the son of Mrs Lucy Ormerod, of 16 Lower School Street, Low Moor, Bradford.

The 1st/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, was formed in Northampton in August 1914, as part of the East Midlands Brigade, East Anglian Division.

From May 1915 the Battalion formed part of the 162nd Brigade, 54th (East Anglian) Division.

Having fought in the Suvla Offensive at Gallipoli, the 54th Division withdrew to Egypt in December 1915, and remained in the Middle East for the rest of the war, later moving into Palestine.

The National Roll of the Great War - Section IX - Bradford notes that "J.A. Ormerod" was a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery:

"He volunteered in November 1914, and, embarking for Salonika in the following February, was in action in several engagements on the Vardar and Doiran fronts. He died gloriously on the Field of Battle on July 6th [sic], 1918, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals. 'His Memory is Cherished with pride.'"

"F. Ormerod", of 16 Lower School Street, Low Moor, Bradford, also fought in the First World War, and, having joined in October 1916, served with his Battalion of the Royal Scots on Home Service duties at various depots in the Southern Counties.

It is presumed that "F. Ormerod" was John's brother.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database notes that John Allen Ormerod died in Egypt on 26 July 1918.

The Database also notes that John was born in Manchester, enlisted in the Army in Bradford, and prior to joining the Northamptonshire Regiment, he served with the Royal Army Service Corps, with the Regimental Number 37152.