STYLES John Stephen

Appears on the Army casualties list for Worcestershire.

Family background: John Styles was the son of Stephen Styles and Anne, nee Lardner. On the 1911 census, Stephen and Anne and 6-month-old John lived in Manor Road, Wickhamford, with Stephen working in market gardening.  Stephen died in the influenza epidemic in 1918 but Annie lived until 1963.  They had one other child, Frank, who was born in 1912 (his mother’s maiden name was recorded as ‘Larner’ on the birth registration index).

Historical context: With the Second Battle of El Alamein, Gen Montgomery started the last and decisive British campaign against Axis forces in Egypt.  On the night of the 23rd October a massive bombardment preceded the advance of first infantry and then armour through the German and Italian lines in the centre.  Progress was at first slow and the battle became a straight slogging match.  By the 4th November, the Second Battle of El Alamein had been won by Eighth Army.  Rommel’s losses in men and material were so great he withdrew, first to Fuka and then Mersa Matruh.

Family background and historical context information researched and transcribed by Tom Locke with acknowledgement to the family of John Styles: https://www.badseysociety.uk/ww2/wickhamford-men-who-died-wwii

A letter from the British Legion, Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford, Almenzora, Wickhamford Rd, Badsey, nr Evesham, no date, can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that Gunner John S. Styles, Royal Artillery be added to the county roll of honour.