Son of Mrs Sarah Ellen Cheetham, of 19, Beighton Street, Ripley, Derbyshire 

From Soldiers Died in the Great War:  Christian name John; born Ansonville, U.S.A.; enlisted Hucknall, Notts; residence Brinsley, Notts.  Killed in action. 

From the Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser:

KILLED WHILST WAITING TO ATTACK

PTE. J. CHEETHAM, of Brinsley, 7^th Leicesters

      Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cheetham, Broad Lane, Brinsley, is reported as having been killed in France on October 23^rd.  He was a miner working at Selston Colliery, and was one of the combed-out men in April, and crossed over to France in Sept.  He was 21 years of age.  His death has not been officially notified by the War Office, but the following letter from the Chaplain bearing date Nov. 15^th, and which reached the parents last week, leaves little doubt but that the unfortunate young man has made the great sacrifice:-

      “You will already have heard the exceedingly sad news that your son, Pte. J. Cheetham, was killed in action in the early morning of Oct. 23^rd.  He was killed by a shell in the assembly position while the battalion was waiting to attack.  Death was instantaneous, so that he did not have to lie and suffer.  I am sorry that I have been unable to write before, but I have been in the hospital with influenza.  I wanted to let you know how very greatly we all feel for you in your great loss.  Your son was buried at 12.30 p.m. on Oct 26^th, in a British Military Cemetery in the little hamlet of Amerval, about 12 miles east of Cambrai.”

ROLL OF HONOUR

In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Pte. J. Cheetham, 7^th Leicesters, who was killed in action October 23^rd, aged 21 years.