204638 L/Cpl John James Hamer British Army 2/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment from:Bolton, Lancashire John James “Jack†Hamer (200871) 1899-1962 joined the 2/5th on 7 December 1914 at Wigan; walking 8 miles from Bolton. While in training Jack was granted leave and went back home and married Isabella Billington on 17 Feb 1915. As a Private he also served, and ended the war, with the 12th Bn, Manchester Regiment. He stated that during the war he was a Postman, undoubtedly one of the duties as a Company Clerk for the Regiment. At one time, during the war Jack was listed as missing in action, most probably due to miscommunication of his whereabouts, but it was long enough that notification was sent to his wife. He survived without any wounds and was promoted to Lance Corporal or Acting Corporal by the end of the war. Jack was granted furlough from 19 Feb 1919 until he was demobilized on 19 March 1919. Jack and Isabella emigrated to Canada in 1929 with their only daughter, Joyce.
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