Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 5407397

Reference: WO372/24

Title: Medal Index Card

Description: Medal index cards were created by the Army Medal Office towards the end of the First World War. They record the medals that men and women who served in the First World War were entitled to claim.

URL: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6534347
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UPP: GBM/MCI/5413302

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 7480272

Reference: CWGCCASUALIWM

Title: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Casualty Records

Description: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) commemorate First World War servicemen and women and members of some civilian organisations who died before 31 August 1921 while in Commonwealth military service or of causes attributable to service.

Connected by: Imperial1

URL: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/915229/
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UPP: GBM/CWGCCASUALIWM/722942

Additional: This record has been automatically matched to the Life Story by IWM, using rules based on name, rank, number, regiment and service.

Credit: © Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Source information

ID: 7606760

Title: John Loudon Strain - "Jack

Description: Jack Loudon Strain was a captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery who died, aged 20, on 31 July 1917 at Ypres

Connected by: Adrian15702

Additional: Jack Strain was my uncle - the oldest son in a family of twelve who lived in Wimbledon village. Jack enlisted as a Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artilery and was promoted to captain. As well as this photo, we have a letter he wrote from the front in May 1917, full of hope and optimism, just two months before he died. He died on 31 July 1917, part of a small reconnaissance group caught in a German artillery barrage at Ypres. We also have the letter from his commanding officer informing his parents of his death. Jack was a hero to his nine younger siblings, including my father who was only five when his brother died, and to his parents. Jack's death was devastating. In my family, we have always remembered "Uncle Jack". We have seen his name on the Menem Gate at Ypres. He lived for just 20 years. We will never forget him and his sacrifice.

Source information

ID: 7606796

Title: Letter written by Jack Strain to family friends

Description: Jack Strain, my father's elder brother, wrote this letter to his family friend, Mrs Mercer in Wimbledon, in May 1917. The letter is to thank her for sending him a small package of books which he intends to distribute to some of his fellow officers. He has just been promoted to captain in 214 siege battery at Ypres. The letter is full of hope but also shows the stress of his situation: "I have had a very hot and strenuous time in the last few days." He wishes he could have been with his friends at a recent gathering "especially as there was a good deal of old iron flying about at the time". He adds: "God has been wonderfully good to me in preserving me and I do wish to thank all of you at home who remember me". Jack was killed in action at Ypres on 31 July. He was only 20 with all his life ahead of him. We have always remembered him, and always will.

Connected by: Adrian15702

Additional: See also the photo of Jack Loudon Strain in uniform and the letter to his parents informing them of his death

Source information

ID: 7606833

Title: Letter informing of the death of Jack Strain

Description: These two letters were written to my father's parents, Mr and Mrs Strain following the death of Jack Strain, killed in action at Ypres on 31 July 1917. He was 20. They come from the Seargeant -Major and a Major in his company, the 214 siege battery at Ypres. "Your son, Captain Strain was killed at about 8 o'clock on the morning of July 31st. The poor boy went over with the infantry, as an F.O.O (Forward Observation) for the Corps and never returned alive. He was in company with another office from the Group and both these dear young men were found lying side by side where they had fallen

Connected by: Adrian15702

Additional: Captain John Loudon Strain was my uncle, the oldest of ten siblings, of which my father Malcolm Strain was the youngest. His name is on the Menem Gate at Ypres. We never forget him and the sacrifice of his life.

Source information

ID: 9443285

Title: Image of John Loudon Strain

Connected by: Neil202

Source information

ID: 9486603

Reference: gbm_royal_art_officers_deaths

Title: British Army, Royal Artillery officer deaths 1850-2011 Transcription

Connected by: Ian152464

UPP: GBM/ROYALART/OFFDEATH/04106

Credit: Courtesy of Findmypast

Source information

ID: 9486605

Reference: gbm_rawc_book

Title: British Army, Royal Artillery War Commemoration Book, 1914-1918 Transcription

Connected by: Ian152464

UPP: GBM/RAWCBOOK/3455

Credit: Courtesy of Findmypast

Source information

ID: 9487626

Reference: gbm_mci

Title: Medal Index Cards Transcription

Connected by: Jane31029

UPP: GBM/MCI/4299980

Additional: Although his middle name is written and transcribed "London", his surname, first name, service in the RGA and rank, as well as the note on the MIC "K-in-A Deceased 31.7.17" all indicate that this MIC is that of John Loudon Strain.

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9487721

Reference: bmd_overseas_births_1

Title: British armed forces and overseas births and baptisms Transcription

Connected by: Ian152464

UPP: BMD/OVS/BCON/001135/032

Additional: Loudon or London

Source information

ID: 9487724

Reference: 1911gbc

Title: 1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

Connected by: Ian152464

UPP: GBC/1911/RG14/03468/0365/3

Additional: Recorded as Loudon but in image can see Loudon

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 9487735

Reference: wwisd

Title: Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919 Transcription

Connected by: Ian152464

UPP: GBM/WWISD/1005716

Additional: Ongoing confusion between London and Loudon

Credit: © Naval and Military Press Ltd

Source information

ID: 9487770

Name: Army List 1916 via Forces War Records

Title: Second Lieutenant - on probation

Description: First Name:J L Surname:Strain Information: Special Reserve. Supplementary Officer. On probation. Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Service:British Army Primary Unit: Royal Garrison Artillery Archive Reference: 1916 Army List Seniority Date: 17/12/1915

Connected by: Ian152464

URL: https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/8884527/2nd-lieutenant-j-l-strain-british-army-royal-garrison-artillery/?isSaved=1
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Source information

ID: 9487775

Name: London Gazette 30427 - Acting Captain

Title: Mention In Despatches ; Deservind of special Mention

Description: First Name: J L Surname: Strain Rank: Acting Captain Gallantry Awards: Mentioned In Despatches Gazette Info: Gazette issue 30427. Mentioned In Despatches.; Deserving of special mention. Gazette Date: 11/12/1917 Gazette Page: 13077

Connected by: Ian152464

URL: https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/5432255/acting-captain-j-l-strain-british-army-royal-garrison-artillery/?isSaved=1
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Source information

ID: 9491547

Title: LONDON GAZETTE, 21 DECEMBER, 1915 - Second Lieutenant ["John London Strain"]

Description: ARTILLERY. The undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants (on probation). Dated 17th December, 1915: — ... Royal Garrison Artillery ... John London Strain

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29409/page/12695
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Source information

ID: 9491553

Title: LONDON GAZETTE, 1 OCTOBER 1917 - Lieutenant

Description: ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. The undermentioned 2nd Lts. to be Lts. : — 1st July 1917 ... J. L. Strain.

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30315/supplement/10142
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Source information

ID: 9491558

Title: LONDON GAZETTE, 14 JUNE, 1918 - Captain

Description: R.G.A. ... 2nd Lt. J. L. Strain, Spec. Res. (since killed in action), to be actg. Capt. 26th May 1917

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30745/supplement/7036
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Source information

ID: 9491564

Title: MIC image (Ancestry) [John London Strain]

Description: France 23.9.16 = BWM, VM

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1262/30850_A001498-00568/5506043?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return
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Source information

ID: 9491591

Title: LONDON GAZETTE, 14 DECEMBER, 1917 - Mentioned in Despatches

Description: 14th December, 1917. The following is a continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 7th November, submitting names deserving special mention, published in a Supplement to the London Gazette of Tuesday, 11th December, 1917: — ... ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY ... Strain, Actg. Capt. J. L.

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30427/supplement/13077
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Source information

ID: 9491597

Title: Captain John Loudon Strain [Find a Grave]

Description: Incl. a photo of the CWGC panel upon which his name is engraved (very top left) - Menin Gate memorial, Ypres

Connected by: R58235

URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12030839/john-loudon-strain
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