John Kilcline
Private 28805 - East Yorks Regiment
8th Battalion
Killed in Action Flanders 3rd May 1917 : Aged 19
Arras Memorial Bay 4 and 5.
Born 1898 in Huthwaite; John's full surname was actually Kilcline, although press report shows his family also chose to use a shorter Cline. Parents John and Amelia lived at 38 Club Yard, Main Street, Huthwaite, having had five sons and two daughters. John was working at New Hucknall Colliery when conscripted for service. He enlisted at Mansfield 13th December 1916, giving age 18 years 9 months, and initially joined the Training Reserve of Sherwood Foresters as Private 88450. While in Etaples on 2nd March 1917, John was posted to the 16th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, before final transfer into the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment on 18th April. They had relieved the 1st Royal Scots on a fiercly fought front line, and it was only a few days later when John was first posted as missing.
Possibly two brothers also served the Foresters, namely Private Jack Kilcline and Lance Corporal Jim Kilcline, 4969886 1st Sherwoods & 2nd Cheshires.
Reportage from Paul Bradshaw and Mrs Lynne Weston, plus family research by Mary Robinson
Great War Forum Mary Robinson discovers her Kilcline ancestors under Cline surname.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Age family and home not confirmed.
Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 JOHN CLINE, Born Huthwaite, enlisted Mansfield, resides Huthwaite. Formerly 68450 Sherwood Foresters, East Yorks. Regt., 8th. Battalion Private, Killed in action, France and Flanders.
Nottinghamshire Free Press - Sutton Library Archives 26th April 1918
Written 23 Jul 06 Revised 11 Mar 13 © by Gary Elliott