Wounded 4 June 1917

John Henry?

Something like 100 men belonging to Chippenham and the immediate neighbourhood have laid down their lives in the service of their King and Country during the three years of the war. Below we give the photo of Bugler J Hatherell, son of Mr JW and Mrs Hatherell of Lowden Hill.

Bugler Hatherell was formerly employed at the Chippenham Signal Works but when war broke out - he was only 16 years of age at the time he was working at Melksham. He joined the Wilts and went to France, where on June 4th, he was severely wounded. He was taken to the base hospital at Boulogne and hopes were entertained at first that he would recover and it would be possible to eventually remove him to England but unfortunately he got worse and on July 4th just a month after he received his wounds he succumbed. The news was conveyed to the bereaved parents in the following letter: -

No 13 Base Hospital Boulogne

Dear Mr and Mrs Hatherell: I am indeed most sorry to have to convey to you the sad news that your dear boy died this afternoon. Yesterday he seemed a little better, if anything, but he collapsed today. I saw him early this morning and we said a prayer together, but he quite suddenly, after dinner got worse and expired in a few minutes. I know how much he longed to get back home and how much you longed to have him, so I can feel most sincere sympathy and I pray that our Heavenly Father may pour into your bleeding hearts His holy comfort and give you strength to bear bravely such a grievous blow.

Yours faithfully JFA Blandford. Chaplain. July 4th 1917

Out in that foreign field
Lies one we all love well;
We could not hold his dying hand,
We could not say farewell.

"Until the day breaks"

Wilts Times 4 August 1917

In loving memory of our dear son and brother Bugler J Hatherell who died of wounds in France July 4th 1917.

No one stood beside him to bid him a last farewell
Although his grave is far away, he did his duty well,
He is gone but not forgotten, often we recall his name.
But there is nothing left to answer his name but his photo in the frame.

Sadly missed by his Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters
Lowden Hill, Chippenham

Wilts Times 22 June 1918