Private John Friars

Service Number 8678


Campaign:

World War 1


Died:

26.10.1914

1SG
MIA Aged 22
Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. Panel 11
The eldest son of John and Helen Friars, Richmond Terrace, Bo’ness. He had two brothers William and David and sisters Jeanie, Elizabeth and Mary. Prior to enlisting on 27 August 1913, he was employed as a labourer working with this father at the chemical works of Thomas Ovens and Sons, Corbiehall.
On the 26 October the 1st (Guards) Brigade were told to go up the Menin Road as far as Veldhoek, two kilometres west of Gheluvelt, as the Corps Reserve.
The fighting was savage and can best be described by a Private Osborne in this incident: ‘… Losses on both sides were staggering. During one of the attacks I saw one of our fellows (Charles Burtenshaw) make a right lunge at a big German’s throat, and as the bayonet was entering the fellows neck, Charles, to make sure of his man, shot him - a sort of makeweight.’* When asked later, while they were resting, why he had done it L/Cpl Burtenshaw could not remember anything at all. Osborne commented that Burtenshaw had a gentle disposition. John Friars was killed in this action and his body lost. He is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial.

*Taken from ‘Till the Trumpet Sounds again, Vol.1. P.149, Randal Nicol


Memorial(s):

Country Location Name of Memorial Campaign Names Date(s)
Scotland Near intersection with Church Wynd. Town is also known as Borrowstounness. Stewart Avenue Bo'ness West Lothian Lothian EH51 0EE Bo'ness War Memorial World War 1
 John Friars 26-10-1914 View

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