John Thomas Highman

Story:
John Thomas Highman was born in 1892 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of William Charles Highman, a carman, and Emily Mary Highman (née Rideout). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a porter and boarding out at Little Poland Street, Oxford Street, London, W. He was working for Peter Robinson Ltd. Drapers, of Oxford Street; 35 and 26 Poland Street was the staff accommodation for the firm. His parents were living at 8 Laundry Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Camberwell, London, S.E. as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. L/15240). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died whilst attached to 'B' Company, 157th Brigade, RFA, on 21st July 1916 and his name appears on the Theipval Memorial, Somme (Pier/Face 1A & 8A). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James' war memorials, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the memorial scroll inside St. James' Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.