Lives of the First World War

known 29th August 1916

Coverage is given to the death of Private Jack Isaac of St Mary’s Road, Harborough. His parents clearly wanted the Advertiser’s readers to know about their ‘gallant’ son as they have provided the editor with the letter they received from his company. The report says: “Jack was with his friend Johannsen and Lance-Corporal Brown. They were doing splendid work, sticking to their gun most gallantly, when they were hit by a large shell. They were all killed instantaneously.” Isaac’s parents also – clearly very proudly – have been interviewed by the editor and provided background information. “He was a prominent Army Cross-Country runner and on one occasion at some Army sports finished first in a field of 300. “Two days later he ran in a field of 500, which was started by the King, and he then finished seventh, the general opinion being that but for his exertions earlier in the week, he would have stood a good chance of being the winner.” It is a terribly sad time for Mr and Mrs Isaac but the worry will not stop. The story concludes with the information that their three other sons are also in His Majesty’s Forces, a situation many of the Advertiser’s readers will know only too well.

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