John Henry Absalom

 John Henry Absalom is recognised as the first recorded casualty among the soldiers who lost their lives on 10 July 1916, marking the initial day that the 14th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment engaged in combat at the Battle of the Somme.

John was born in 1898, Llanstadwell, Pembrokeshire and was the son of Owen Absalom, and Lydia Bowen.  They were married in 1895 at Haverfordwest.

The Absalom family were recorded on the 1901 Census are living at Withy Hedge, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest.

1901 Census

Owen aged 42, is recorded as General Labourer, while Lydia, is aged 39.  Their children are

David, aged 5 and John H., aged 2.

A decade later at the time of the 1911 Census, the Absalom family are recorded as living at Cause Way, Camrose SO, Pembrokeshire.

1911 Census

Owen, aged 53 is recorded as a Farmer, while Lydia is aged 50.  Their children are

David, aged 15, who is employed on the farm; John Henry, aged 12, and George Owen, aged 8, who both attend school

John Henry Absalom
Thiepval Memorial
credit - findagrave

John, who was killed on the 10^th of July is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.