John Chown

Story:
John Chown was born in 1888 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of Samuel Chown, a carpenter, and mary Ann (Annie) Chown (née Rogers). At the time of the 1911 Census the family were living at Cann Common, Cann, Shaftesbury, though John was not recorded. He married Lucy Hayward in Shaftesbury in 1914. He enlisted in Devizes as a Private in the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 7612). He joined the 1st Battalion and served in France and Flanders.  He died on 31st October 1914 and his name appears on Le Touret Memorial, Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 33 & 34). At the time his wife Lucy was living in Enmore Green and their son, John William, was born on 7th May 1915. Lucy did not remarry and at the time of the 1939 Register she was living with her son at Hill Crescent, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. John Chown was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star (clasp) medals. He is remembered on the War Memorials at Motcombe, Enmore Green and Cann, Shaftesbury. John's brother, Percy George Chown, also served but survived the conflict albeit he had been discharged early due to being medically unfit.