Huthwaite War Memorial Project

CLINE J. 28805

John Cline

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.

Notts. Free Press 26th April, 1918.
Local Soldiers Killed Private J. Cline, Huthwaite

After being reported as missing since May 3rd., 1917, Private John Cline 28805, East Yorks, of 38, Club Yard, Huthwaite, has been officially reported as dead. Though enquiries have been made in various directions, his parents have been unable to obtain any further information. The deceased soldier, who was 19 years of age, enlisted on December 9th. 1916, and was drafted to France on February 28th. 1917. Prior to joining the Army he worked at the New Hucknall Colliery.

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Written 23 Jul 06 Revised 11 Mar 13 © by Gary Elliott