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John Platt

 

John Platt first appeared in a census in 1891. He was living with his family in Overton, Flintshire. Head of the household was George Platt aged 46 and described on the form as a ‘Hunter’. His wife was Margaret who was 35. Their listed children were George 11, John 3 and Edmund 7 months.

The following census of 1901 recorded the family living at the unlikely address of Cheshire Cheese, Penley. George Platt was 55 and was a ‘dealer in butter, eggs, fowl and fruit on his own account’. His wife Margaret was 45. Their listed children were Edmund 10 and Frederick 7.  ( Frederick Platt was also killed in the war and is listed on Penley’s memorial and has his own page on this website). John was not listed in the household.

In 1901 a John Platt who had been born in Overton was a 13 year old servant , working on Kinsal Farm, Whittington, Oswestry. The farm was owned by Samuel Lea who lived there with his wife Mary Jane. There were 4 other servants. I believe this is possibly our John Platt but cannot prove it.

There is an index card for John Platt in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office in Hawarden. The card gives his regimental details and  says that he served for three years  including in France. This card, however is filed with the Penley  ‘Living’ cards. Presumably he died after the war but before the memorial was erected.

According to a record held by ancestry.com John Platt, Private 40975 was discharged from the army on the 4th February 1919 aged 34 and was awarded a Silver badge to prove that he had been a serving soldier in the conflict.  Silver badges were awarded to soldiers who were discharged as a result of wounding or sickness.

John Platt has no Commonwealth War Grave.

We would appreciate any further information that anyone can offer about John Platt’s story. Was he married? Where did he live when he left the army? When did he die? Where was  he buried?


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