John Thomas Grice
John Thomas Grice was a private in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and was killed in action in France in 1918.
Some confusion exists over whether he was John Thomas or Thomas John. On the War Memorial he us remembered as J Grice, and at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission he is listed as John Thomas. However, on the family headstone (pictured below), probably erected in the early 1990s, he is listed as Thomas John Grice.
Additional confusion exists over his date of birth and age, though not to a significant level. The newspaper report has him aged 39 at the time of death. If he was born in 1881 he would have been 38, if a year earlier (and the census officials did sometimes round years up to the next one) only 37. But newspapers on ages at death were not infrequently somewhat out, especially if their information was second hand.
The information on John Thomas Grice has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | John Thomas Grice |
| Date of Death | 28th March 1918 |
| Place of Death | France |
| Age at Death | 39 |
| Unit and Regiment | King's Shropshire Light Infantry; 7th Bn. |
| Rank | Private |
| Service Number | 24911 |
| Remembrance Grave | Colbren Churchyard, Church Road, Coelbren Powys. Grave inscription: Thomas John Grice Killed in action 1914-1918 War. |
| Memorial | ARRAS MEMORIAL – FRANCE; Bay 7. |
| Local Memorials | Ystradgynlais War Memorial
Coelbren Church Plaque and Pulpit Memorial |
| Family Details | Born Ystradgynlais 1881. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Grice of Colbren Villa, Ystradgynlais Higher |
| Known Brothers | |
| Known Sisters |
|
John Thomas Grice To the left is the new headstone to the family grave, in the churchyard of Capel Coelbren. It lists him as Thomas John Grice, but official records of his service record him as John Thomas Grice. |
| It is not clear what relation to John Thomas Grice the others named on the grave are, as he was 39 when killed, and would have been born in 1879, whilst of those listed on the grave William was born in 1907, Annie in 1910, and Mary Elizabeth in 1908. Mary Jane, on the other hand was born in 1884. |
From The Labour Voice newspaper, 29th June 1918:-
The wife and children of Private John Grice have had a very anxious time since he was reported missing on 28th March last. The relatives would be very thankful to any one who could give any information as to his whereabouts. Private Grice belonged to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and participated in the recent big battle in France.
From The Labour Voice newspaper, 17th August 1918:-
The relatives and friends of Private John Grice, who had been reported missing since March last, were relieved to hear that he is now a prisoner of war in Germany.
It is sad that their hope was obviously based upon false information, and John Grice had been dead all along.