John Edward Brittain

A Lance Corporal with the 7th Battalion, John died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 21.

John was born at Lowestoft in 1896, a son of Charles Alfred and Clara Elizabeth Brittain. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 11 November 1896, and his family lived at 29 Queens Road, Lowestoft. In 1901 they lived at 10 Princes Road, Lowestoft. John attended Church Road Board School. By 1911 they were living at 2 Alexandra Road, Lowestoft, and Charles was a net mender. Later his parents lived at Tresco, Corton Road, Lowestoft, and, at some point, Penderalis, Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft.

John enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. This was in, or before, October 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 1270 and served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. Later he was posted to the 7th Battalion in France, service number 43152.   

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916
Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916
Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.
All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

John was reported missing and his death was presumed to have taken place on or since 12 October. 

John's brother Charles served with the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment and died in 1918.