Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
John Joseph Graffham was born in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in Dorking to widower Peter Graffham and widow Susannah Poplett nee Stemp.
John’s father Peter was born about 1850 in Great Bookham and was baptised on 15th September 1850 in Great Bookham. Peter’s parents were called Henry, a labourer and Eleanor. Peter married his first wife Sarah Coe on 13th April 1873 at St Mary in Ewell.
During the 1881 Census, the young family lived at Cotmandene in Dorking. Peter was working as a labourer and Sarah was looking after their sons Frederick P. Graffham and Walter Graffham. In the first quarter of 1885 Sarah died in Dorking.
The widowed Peter married his second wife Susanna on 27th September 1885 at St Nichols in Great Bookham. Susannah was also a widow. She was born in the 4th quarter of 1853 in Great Bookham to a labourer Henry and Caroline. Susannah married her first husband George Poplett on 5th October 1878 at St Nicolas in Great Bookham. During the time of the 1881 Census, Susannah, George and their children Annie, George and James lived at Phoenice Cottage in Great Bookham. They had also a lodger called Henry Wood. George died in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in Epsom.
In 1885 Peter Graffham and Susannah Poplett were married.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the new family lived at Moleside, in Dorking. Apart from Peter and Susannah the family consisted of the children from the first Peter’s marriage and Susannah’s sons. Florence and John were children born into the new marriage.
By the time of the 1911 Census John’s parents moved to 15 Lyndale Road in Redhill and John became a private of the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment of Infantry. He resided at the Longmoor Military Camp in Longmoor, East Liss, Hampshire.
In the 4th quarter of 1911 John married Daisy Lily Denman in Reigate.
Daisy was born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Redhill to Albert and Annie Denman. At the time of the 1901 Census, Daisy was living with her family at Albury Road in Merstham. Albert was working as a general labourer. Daisy died in September 1945 in Surrey.
John enlisted in Guildford. At the time of his enlistment he resided at Redhill. Firstly he became part of the 1st Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. Later he became a corporal of the 2nd Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. His regimental number was L/9443. John disembarked on 4th October 1914 in France.
John was killed in an action on 28th July 1915 in or near a village Richebourg-l’Avoue in France.
Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery Roll of Honour
© CWGC
He is buried at the Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery, France. His grave registration number is: I.B.17.
John Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.
By 1920 John’s wife Daisy lived at 9 Feldwick Place in Redhill. She was given £4, 13s and 1d on 8th November 1915 and £6 on 30th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
John Joseph Graffham was 25 years old.
| Born | Great Bookham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Redhill, Surrey | |
| Son of | Peter Graffham and widow Susannah Poplett nee Stemp | |
| Husband of | Daisy Lily Graffham (nee Denman) of 9, Felwick Place, Redhill, Surrey | |
| Enlisted | Guilford, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | L/9443 | |
| Date of Death | 28th July 1915 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 25 | |
| Cemetery | Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l’avoue |
