John was born in Redenhall, Norfolk, to William Elijah and Amelia Bolton Davey (nee Fuller) on 26 November 1898. He was baptised in Redenhall Hall on 6 January 1899. His father was a milkman on a farm.
He had two brothers and three sisters;
William Aubrey born 1897 died 1903
Lilian E born 1901
Mabel born 1904
Richard Edwin born 1905
May born 1909
By 1911 the family had moved to Saxlingham Nethergate. His father ran the Cricketers Arms Public House on Saxlingham Green. John aged 12 was still at school.
During the First World War John served in the Machine Gun Corps, Service number 119788. His records have not survived but it is known that he was discharged on 24 October 1919. He returned to Saxlingham where it is known he was living until at least 1931.
There are no records of his marrying.
In 1939 he was a patient in Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital, Northampton. The hospital was originally set up to treat children with bone disease but after 1925 treated adults as well. It had some open air wards as some of the patients were there because they had TB. It is not known why John was a patient there. His occupation was given as carter to Flour Millers and he was a reservist with 12th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.
He died on 26 January 1977. His address was 10 Sunny Corner, North Walsham and he left £3466.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Redenhall with Harleston and Wortwell
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
www.nchcfgreenheart.co.uk James Manfield-Photograph of hospital
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk