John Thomas Drake, the elder son of George Drake and Emily (formerly Jarvis) was born in 1895 at Great Warley, Essex, and he was the first of their two sons to die in this war. His parents were married 10 Oct 1891 at Little Burstead, Essex. His grandparents were John Drake and Sarah Ann Poulter, who were married 17 Oct 1858 at Bethnal Green St Philip, London. John, a shepherd, was born in North Ockendon, Essex, and was the son of a North Ockendon couple, Thomas Drake and Margaret. John was a Corporal in the Essex Regiment who died 28 Sep 1916  and his memorial is at Thiepval.

Image by Guild member Evelyn  O’Connor.