John Arthur Thomas Shephard 1879 – 1918
John was born circa 1879 and married Eileen, dates not yet confirmed. It is not clear at present whether there were any other families of the same name in the village, but there are Dover Express reports of a J Shephard in the cricket team from at least 1909-1911, and he was also elected Chairman of the Cricket Club.
Mrs J Shephard, 6 The Terrace, advertised for a housekeeper in 1916, and John, aged 37, was working as a wages clerk at Tilmanstone Colliery. He had a temporary exemption from military service at this point.
John served in three different units following enlisting; he was a rifleman in 18th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles), then corporal service no. 415261 9th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) and finally corporal service no. 615839, 188th Prisoner of War Company, Labour Corps.
Early in 1918 he was recuperating from wounds at home, but died on 4th December 1918. He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Eileen died at 6 The Terrace on 11th April 1917, aged 50, and is buried at St Andrew’s.