AN EXTREMELY EMOTIVE \"OFFICER CASUALTY\" 1914-15 TRIO. 2943 Pte, later Lt J.H. VANSTONE. 1/6 Gloucesters & 5th West Riding Regt.Thrice wounded, the last time seriously. 4th Nov 1918. Permanently paralysed.
AN EXTREMELY EMOTIVE "OFFICER CASUALTY" 1914-15 TRIO.Seriously wounded just seven days before the armistice. To: 2945 Pte, later Lt J.H. VANSTONE. 1/6th Gloucesters & 5th West Riding Regt.A remarkable man who rose from the ranks, was three times wounded, the last time seriously on 4th November 1918 by bullet wound to the head and permanently paralysed.[BIOGRAPHY]
John Henry Vanstone was born on 28th August 1893 at NORTHAM, Appledore, Devon and attended Appledore School. He attested as a Private in the 1/6th Gloucestershire Regt on 4th September 1914 at age 20. He arrived in France on 31st March 1915 and was promoted to lance corporal on 1st May and to Sgt on 26th July 1916. He was badly wounded in the left hand by gunshot on 20th August 1916. A year later on 1st August 1917 he was commissioned into the 5th Bn West Riding Regt with whom he was again wounded on 13th December with an arrival back in England on 28th December 1917. After four months convalescence he returned to France on 22nd April 1918.With incredible sadness he was again very seriously wounded on 4th November 1918 just 7 days before the armistice, this by a bullet wound to the right side of his head which led to total paralysis to his left side. He was hospitalised in France until 4th April 1919 when he is seen returning home to England. He was still ill in bed a year after his wounding in November 1919 where he is seen claiming his invalidity pension. "LEST WE FORGET" Extensive copy papers, MIC & full service record.An Extremely Emotive Officer Casualty who's tragic personal circumstances of being seriously disabled in the very last few days of the war well underline the sadness & extreme sacrifices made on our behalf during The Great War.
YES! ..... "LEST WE FORGET"[FOLLOW UP 5/10/20] Due to the kind efforts of one of our loyal customers we have now found out what happened to Lt VANSTONE. He clearly had a difficult life after sustaining what was clearly a life changing head wound on 4th November 1918. He is last seen on the 1939 Census living at the “Old Manor Mental Institution” in Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he sadly died in January 1951.
“John Vanstone, we salute you for the sacrifice of your life for our freedom” MEDALS EF+ ON ORIGINAL RIBBONS
£495