John Charles Breach

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, John died on 26th of August 1914 at the age of 30. 

John was born at Lowestoft on 30 July 1884, a son of Henry (Harry) and Maria Breach. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church in 1884. In 1891 his family lived at 18 Haward Street and in 1901 at the Waggon and Horses Public House, Rant Score East, and John was a general labourer. Later his parents lived at 2 Cooks Buildings, Whapload Road. 

John enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment in 1905 and in 1911 was serving with D and E Company of the 1st Battalion at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt. He would have joined the Army Reserve around 1912. John married Elizabeth Eva Monk at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 28 February 1914 and at that time he was working as a carter. Later Elizabeth lived at St. Laurence, Bungay. 

John would have been mobilized when the war began. As the 1st Battalion was in Sudan, John was posted to the 2nd Battalion and arrived in France, with the battalion, on 15 August 1914. The battalion strength on 15 August 1914 was 25 officers and 971 men.

On 26 August 1914 the 2nd Battalion were at Le Cateau and had to hold the right of the British position in order to allow the general retreat of the army. The 2nd Battalion played an important role in the battle: they held their position throughout the day and under withering fire from German artillery and machine guns. Eventually they were surrounded and the remnant of the battalion captured: but they had done what was vital - they held the position. At roll call the next day there were only 2 officers and 111 men left, but another 90 stragglers joined during the day: in total the battalion lost 22 officers and around 750 men at Le Cateau.

John was initially reported wounded and missing and later confirmed to have been killed in action at Le Cateau. 

John's brother-in-law, Frederick Sayer, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1918. John's cousin, Robert Breach, served with the Norfolk Regiment and died in 1918. 

Note: in Soldiers Died in the Great War and Commonwealth War Graves his middle name is given as Thomas. This is incorrect and his correct surname is verified by birth, baptism, census, marriage and other military records including pension record cards and medal rolls.