Private John Westwood (1876-1916) lived in Manor Road, Wickhamford, in 1911 with his wife and five children; he was a market gardener’s labourer.
Soon after the outbreak of war, John joined the Worcestershire Regiment, 12th (Service) Battalion (No 19094) on 2nd November 1914, enlisting in Pershore and falsely giving his age as 36 years. He was discharged as unfit for further duty on 15th May 1915. He was suffering from a rupture of the abdominal muscles as a result of ordinary military drill, stated on his record as “a strain on an elderly man” – he was just over 40 at the time! The recommended hospital treatment was “unreasonably refused”. He died in 1916 – this could be described as due to War service.