John Henry Absalom

 

John Henry Absalom

John Henry Absalom was born in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, in 1899, the son of Owen Absalom and Lydia Bowen, who had married in 1894.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family was living at Withy Hedge, Rudbaxton, near Haverfordwest. John’s father, Owen, aged 42, had been born in Walwyn’s Castle, Pembrokeshire, and was employed as a general labourer. His mother, Lydia, aged 39, was a native of St Ishmael’s, Pembrokeshire.

The couple had two children recorded in the household: David, aged five, who had been born in Llachgrid, Cardiganshire, and John Henry, aged two, who had been born in Neyland.

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to Causeway, Camrose, Pembrokeshire. Owen, now aged 53, was working as a farmer, while Lydia was aged 50.

Their eldest son, David, aged 15, was employed on the family farm. John Henry, aged 12, and his younger brother, George Owen, aged eight, were both attending school.

During the First World War, John Henry enlisted in the Welsh Regiment and served as a Private with its 14th Battalion.

Private John Henry Absalom lost his life on 10 July 1916, aged just 17, on the day his battalion first entered the Battle of the Somme.

John Henry Absalom
Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France
credit - findagrave

He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France, which honours more than 72,000 British and South African servicemen who died in the Somme sector and have no known grave.

John Henry was one of the many young men from Pembrokeshire whose lives were cut tragically short during the First World War. His name is preserved on the Thiepval Memorial as a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice.