John Robert Bebb was the seventh of 11 children born to Hugh and Mary Bebb. He was born in 1893 at Oswestry. His father, Hugh, worked as coal salesman. In 1901 the family were living at 5 New Park Road, Oswestry – his siblings were Mary 23, Emily 22, Hugh 20, Margaret 18, Richard 16, Matilda 13, Lilian 4, and Edward 6 weeks. In 1911 he is living with his parents and 5 siblings at 19 Lorne Street. John worked as a grocer’s porter, wheeling a wheel barrow with vegetable deliveries.

John enlisted at Shrewsbury soon after the outbreak of war joining the Shropshire Yeomanry. In early 1917 the Yeomanry units were disbanded with men going into other units. It is probable that he was drafted into 6 Bn KSLI at this time and was not one of the original Oswestry Pals.

John is listed on CWGC as died 1 April 1918. However, a notice in local newspapers records him as wounded and missing on 21 March; and his military records list him as presumed dead sometime between 21 March-1 April1918. This was during Operation Michael, Kaiser Offensive when 6 Bn KSLI were in rapid retreat from Ham back to Amiens. In the newspaper notice his parents ask for any information about him: ‘ Official news has been received that  (John) has been wounded and missing since March 21. Information has also been received from his comrades that he had last been seen in the hands of stretcher bearers who were after supposed to have been overtaken by the Germans in their advance of that time…. Any information concerning him would be gratefully received at the above address’. The battalion had heavy casualties and many men taken prisoner. John’s fate is unknown, no record for him can be found in Red Cross prisoner roles. If he was taken prisoner he likely died very soon afterwards and whilst still on the battlefield. His body was not recovered and he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

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