Lives of the First World War

Missing

Death

Reverse of POW card giving reference numbers. PA 42447 being notice of death.

1911 census

Photograph of Private John McDowell Gemmell grave stone, in Berlin South Western Cemetery, Germany.

12th Battalion Manchester Regiment War Diary showing John McDowell Gemmell's regiment movements from the 9th October 1918, to 12th October 1918, when John was taken at Le Cateau, France at the second battle of the River Selle

Schneidemuhl Prison of war camp list showing John McDowell Gemmell entered the camp on the 1/11/1918. The list shows his capture at Le Cateau, France 12/10/1918, where he spent one month in La Longueville, France before being transferred to Schneidemuhl where he died of a head wound 9/11/1918. In my correspondence with the ICRC, the red rectangle surrounding his entry, indicated the ICRC at the time had responded to a communication from his immediate family requesting information surrounding his capture and death.

1891 Census, showing John McDowell Gemmell aged 2, living with his family in Collyhurst Manchester

Typographical Circular recording John McDowell Gemmell's death. The document notes John was a member of the Manchester Branch trade union and died in Schneidemuhl as a prisoner of war. The 1911, Census shows John McDowell Gemmell's profession was a Compositor.

The document is a copy of John McDowell Gemmell's Medal card, showing he won both the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal.

This document provides the history of the 12th Manchester Regiment and shows the Theatres of War that as a member of the regiment John McDowell Gemmell would have taken part in.