The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

John Douglas Barford Warwick

. From a local paper 17th March 1917 = Capt. J. D. B. Warwick slain.
Captain John Douglas Barford Warwick, Hunts. Cyclists, attached Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, of Peterborough, was killed in action in France on March 10th. The gallant Captain, who was only 23 years of age, was the elder son of Mrs. Warwick, of Park Road, Peterborough and the late Mr. H. J. Warwick, and also grandson of the late Ald. William Barford J. P. The official intimation was received by Mrs. Warwick on Tuesday night, and the profoundest sympathy has been expressed by a Cityful. Capt. Warwick was educated at Gresham's school, Holt. On leaving school he joined the firm of Messrs. Ellis and Everard, Limited, and at the time war broke out was secretary of the company. On October 15th, 1910, he had been given a commission in the 5 th Bedfordshire's, and he transferred to the Huntingdon Cyclist battalion on its formation. He was promoted Captain in August, 1914, within three days of war being declared. He went with his Battalion to the Yorkshire coast, where he remained until the 23 rd August, 1916, when he was sent to France and attached to the Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks. Light Infantry. He was home on leave in January last. The following two letters have been received:-

March 10 the 1917, dear Mrs. Warwick, I am writing with the deepest sympathy and regret to inform you of the death of your son, Captain J. D. B. Warwick, of the Hunts. Cyclist Battalion, who was attached to this Battalion. he was killed in action this morning by a gas shell, which burst in the entrance of his dug-out. Although he got out, he died of the effects of the poison five hours later. It will console you in some measure to know that, unlike many cases of gas poisoning, he died without suffering in the least gradually sinking from heart failure. The death of your son will be a very great loss to this Battalion, both as an officer and as a friend. As an officer he was quite one of the most capable and conscientious I have ever had the pleasure to serve with, and after joining us in September last he very rapidly gained the affection and respect of all ranks. Please accept the very sincere sympathy of all ranks of this Battalion your great sorrow, which is shared by us all. Yours Sincerely, S. L. C. Reynolds, Lieut. Col., Commanding, Bucks. Battalion.

Dear Mrs. Warwick, By this time you will have heard the very sad news of Captain Warwick's death. I knew him personally, and was very fond of him, and he was often very kind to me. His funeral takes place to-morrow morning, and his Battalion will place a cross on his grave. I need hardly say that he died doing his duty and trying to help his men. With every sympathy for you, believe me, yours sincerely, E. J. Helen (Chaplain), Gloustershire Regiment.
A memorial service will take place at St. Mark's Church, Peterborough, at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
John Douglas Barford Warwick of 103 Park Road, Peterborough a Major in the Huntingdonshire Cyclists Battalion, attached 1/1st Bucks Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was Killed in action 10.3.17, age 23, near Peronne, France. Buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Grave II. L. 07.

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09/04/2012
. Martyn Smith

.	From a local paper 17th March 1917 = Capt. J. D. B. Warwick slain. Captain John Douglas Barford Warwick, Hunts. Cyclists, attached Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, of Peterborough, was killed in action in France on March 10th. The gallant Captain, who was only 23 years of age, was the elder son of Mrs. Warwick, of Park Road, Peterborough and the late Mr. H. J. Warwick, and also grandson of the late Ald. William Barford J. P. The official intimation was received by Mrs. Warwick on Tuesday night, and the profoundest sympathy has been expressed by a Cityful. Capt. Warwick was educated at Gresham's school, Holt. On leaving school he joined the firm of Messrs. Ellis and Everard, Limited, and at the time war broke out was secretary of the company. On October 15th, 1910, he had been given a commission in the 5 th Bedfordshire's, and he transferred to the Huntingdon Cyclist battalion on its formation. He was promoted Captain in August, 1914, within three days of war being declared. He went with his Battalion to the Yorkshire coast, where he remained until the 23 rd August, 1916, when he was sent to France and attached to the Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks. Light Infantry. He was home on leave in January last. The following two letters have been received:- March 10 the 1917, dear Mrs. Warwick, I am writing with the deepest sympathy and regret to inform you of the death of your son, Captain J. D. B. Warwick, of the Hunts. Cyclist Battalion, who was attached to this Battalion. he was killed in action this morning by a gas shell, which burst in the entrance of his dug-out. Although he got out, he died of the effects of the poison five hours later. It will console you in some measure to know that, unlike many cases of gas poisoning, he died without suffering in the least gradually sinking from heart failure. The death of your son will be a very great loss to this Battalion, both as an officer and as a friend. As an officer he was quite one of the most capable and conscientious I have ever had the pleasure to serve with, and after joining us in September last he very rapidly gained the affection and respect of all ranks. Please accept the very sincere sympathy of all ranks of this Battalion your great sorrow, which is shared by us all. Yours Sincerely, S. L. C. Reynolds, Lieut. Col., Commanding, Bucks. Battalion. Dear Mrs. Warwick, By this time you will have heard the very sad news of Captain Warwick's death. I knew him personally, and was very fond of him, and he was often very kind to me. His funeral takes place to-morrow morning, and his Battalion will place a cross on his grave. I need hardly say that he died doing his duty and trying to help his men. With every sympathy for you, believe me, yours sincerely, E. J. Helen (Chaplain), Gloustershire Regiment. A memorial service will take place at St. Mark's Church, Peterborough, at 4 p.m. on Saturday. John Douglas Barford Warwick of 103 Park Road, Peterborough a Major in the Huntingdonshire Cyclists Battalion, attached 1/1st Bucks Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was Killed in action 10.3.17, age 23, near Peronne, France. Buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Grave II. L. 07.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
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09/04/2012	.	*Martyn Smith*