Date of Birth
10 July 1889
College
Borough Road College
Job(s)
Teacher at Winchfield Oldham Grammar School
Service number
Unknown
WW1 rank
Staff Captain, Sergeant
Essex Regiment
Date of death
22 April 1918
Buried/memorial
Mendinhem Military Cemetery (Grave/Memorial reference: X. B. 43)
Awards/Honours
Military Cross
Biography
Staff Captain John H Duke was the son of Richard Reginald and Alice Duke. Duke attended Borough Road College for two years, competing in cricket and football for the college. He is listed as being destined for a school in Winchfield. He had been a Methodist preacher before enlisted into the East Kent Regiment in September 1914, becoming Sergeant in February 1916 and later Captain of the 11th Battalion Essex Regiment. Duke was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’, given for his fervor during two days of strenuous fighting. Duke was shot by enemy aircraft while in the Officers’ mess and died of his wounds on 22 April 1918 aged 28.
Sources
Entry on p.83, Mentioned on Framed Borough Road College Roll of Honour, Borough Road College 1907 applications, BFSS/2/9/12/5, BFSS/2/9/13/6, BRCFB005, BRCFB006, BRCCR005, BRCSYG44, Secondary source information provided by Douglas Craik (taken from Commonwealth War Graves Commission), BFSS/2/9/12/5, BFSS/2/9/13/6, 1911 Annual Report, The O.B.’s War Hum and Roll of Service (1918, 4th Edition)