PAINTER John Sigley

Eldest son of Florence J. Painter, Barbourne Road, Worcester and the late John R. Painter, grandson of Mrs. John Sigley of Barbourne. Educated at Barbourne College and on leaving school took a position at the sweet manufactory in Carden Street. The moment Kitchener appealed for volunteers he and his brother Lionel offered their services and on the 5th September 1914 they were enrolled in the 8th Worcestershires. John Painter went to France in March 1915 as a Private and by efficiency gained promotion to Sergeant. He was gassed on the 19th July 1916 on the Somme and returned home to recuperate. While in England he was granted a commission and afterwards was sent to Palestine. He died of wounds received when two men dropped their bombs, which must have been short fused. Endeavouring to throw them out of the way, but unfortunately not soon enough and owing to the bombs being almost instantaneously fused, three men were killed and three wounded.

Sources for additional information: Worcester Daily Times 22nd September 1917, Worcester Herald 4th May 1918, Kidderminster Times 1st June 1918, Worcester Daily Times 1st June 1918.

Two different photographs of Lieutenant J.S. Painter of Worcester can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 29th September 1917 and Saturday 1st June 1918, available at Worcestershire Archives.