John Cullimore

Memorial: Thornbury - St Mary's Church

Regiment: Cheshire Regiment

Medals: British War Medal, Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921, Victory Medal

Rank and number: Lieutenant

Parents: John and Mary Elizabeth Cullimore

Marital status: Single

Home address: Faulkner Lodge, Christleton, Cheshire, but the family owned Manor Farm, Morton, Thornbury, Bristol

Date of birth: 13/06/1894

Place of birth: Christleton Cheshire

Date of death: 16/04/1916

Buried/Commemorated at: Amara War Cemetery (Ref. VI. H. 7.); Christleton War Memorial; Marlborough College Memorial Hall

Age: 22

Further information:

Bronze Tablet and Wooden Memorial Board

John Cullimore, known as Jack, was born and brought up in Christleton, Cheshire. His father was a solicitor, who was born at Almondsbury. Jack was educated at Arnold House School in Chester, then Marlborough College from 1908 to 1912. At the outbreak of hostilities he was at Cambridge University where he served in the Officer Training Corps

The family had strong connections to the Thornbury area and often visited the town

Jack obtained a commission in the 8th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and in 1915 he was in action as a machine gun officer at Gallipoli. ‘He was one of those who, on that terrible day reached the heights and one of the few who were on the crest of the hill and clung there for several hours. No support came, and they had to come down. The Rector saw a letter from a comrade, an officer, who said the last thing he saw of Lieutenant Cullimore up there was the blood streaming down his face and refusing to come away. Apart from that experience he had undergone the illnesses which befell so many in that cruel field, but nothing could bring him away. He refused to be invalided, and afterwards was in the rearguard on the two terrible occasions when the forces were brought out of the Dardenelles. Everyone would understand the responsibility of being the rear guard. The man in the rear must expect to die, rather than betray the army he was defending. He was the rear guard on the first occasion, one of the last to come away. Sent back, he was also rearguard on the second occasion when the remainder of the troops were brought off'

Jack was mentioned in dispatches twice

Jack then served in Mesopotamia, probably being wounded at the Battle of Kul el Amara. He was taken to a field hospital but died six days later

At a Memorial Service held in Christleton it was said that ‘His death from a wound after many months of splendid service during the campaign has cast a shadow of general mourning over the village and is regarded by everyone as a personal loss... The flag flew at half mast and the church looked radiant with floral beauty of Easter Flowers. The crowded congregation included many soldiers, officers and men in uniform. A bunch of lilies on the altar was ‘In remembrance of dear Jack’... He was remembered not only with great regret but with great pride. It was recorded by a private, that the men loved him, because he was a good sport and always cheerful... Whatever happened he always displayed a cheerful spirit and many that day would be thinking with sore and tender feelings about Jack Cullimore'

Jack was the youngest of four brothers who served in the forces during WW1. He was the cousin of Smart Cullimore who is also commemorated on this memorial

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

Thornbury Roots Website; Thornbury and District Museum Research Group; Christleton Village Voices, Forces War Records and the CWGC