Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1891 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/200, the
son of John Thomas & Agnes Jepson (nee Wood).

In April 1891 his parents were residing at Church Road, Ashton upon Mersey,
probably his place of birth?  John Thomas Snr. was a 33 year old Farm
Labourer.  His wife - Agnes was aged: 32.  There were no children listed.

His mother - Agnes Jepson died in the Bucklow R.D. during the December
quarter 1899 - aged: 41.

In 1901 his father, now widowed, was a Boarder residing at No. 2 Moor Nook,
Sale Moor.  Widower - aged: 47 - occ: Teamster on Farm - born: Sale.

1901 Census - No Trace.

1911 Census - Maple Farm, Baguley.   Servant - aged: 19 - occ: Farm
Labourer - born: Ashton upon Mersey. 

John married Alice Sanders at St. Anne's P.C. on the 26th February 1916,
during the March quarter 1916 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/346.  Alice
already had a son - Joseph Sanders, born: at Knutsford on the 16th March
1913 during the March quarter 1913 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/375.

John & Alice had a child - Lily Jepson - born: at Sale on the 20th December
1916 during the December quarter 1916 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/260.

In Group 33, he was conscripted on the 26th April 1916 and enlisted on the
15th July 1916 into the Army Service Corps.

WO363 (burnt records) - Employed as a Teamsman, residing at Maple Farm,
Sale, when he enlisted on the 26th July 1916.   Aged: 24 years, 7 months.  
He was just 4 feet 10½ inches in height.  He weighed 113½ lb and had a
34/36 inch chest measurement.  Categorised as Class "CII" - (not fit for
overseas service).   His next of kin was his wife Alce Jepson, 9 Brook
Street, Sale.  He listed Joseph Sanders, born on the 16th March 1913 as his
son and Lily Jepson, born: 20th December 1916 as his daughter.   Drafted
into 'Y' Forage Company and promoted to the rank of paid Corporal on the
1st February 1917.

Contracted Influenza which supined into Broncho Pneumonia.   Admitted to
the Prees Heath Military Hospital on the 5th March 1919 with a temperature
of 105º F.   Four days later, His heart gave out and he died on the 8th
March 1919.

His wife was present at his death and his body was released to her for
burial.  He was buried at Sale on the 14th March 1919 - Burial No. 15,941. 
  Alice received 26/8d a week pension for herself and her two children. 
His father was recorded as residing at No. 5 Moor Nook, Sale and he died in
1930, aged: 73.   He listed a brother - Sam Jepson (age not known).

M.I. - "Until the day breaks".

Alice married Joseph Leigh during the March quarter 1923 in the Bucklow
R.D. - ref: 8a/292.

During November 1915 a Forage Committee was formed for the supply of forage
and other farm products to the troops overseas and at home.  John was
employed at the Peat Moss Litter Works, Whixall, Shropshire which was about
four miles away from the large Army Camp at Prees Heath, Shropshire.  
Cutting peat for fuel and horse bedding was a reserved occupation during
the war.   Bogmoss was also commonly used as a sterile wound dressing.

John's regimental prefix was 'E' - this indicated that he was in the Forage
Branch and that he was on ordinary Army rates of pay.  Other forage
personnel had the prefix 'F' which indicated that they were not paid from
Army funds, but from a private organisation.  Other prefixes were - 'M' =
Mechanical Transport;  'R' = Remounts;  'S' = Supply;  'T' = Horse
Transport.

His prefix number '4' indicated that he was in what was known as the "New
Army".