John Sorrell was born and enlisted in Dudley; his regimental number indicates that he initially enlisted in the 7th Worcestershire Regiment (a territorial unit that was based in Kidderminster and recruited in Dudley). However his records show that at the time of death, he lived at Malvern.  He was reported wounded in the Malvern News on the 5th May 1917.

He was married to Rose Lewis in the first quarter of 1916 in the Upton-on-Severn Registration District.  This district included the southern half of Malvern.

John was killed in fighting over several days on the Menin Road east of Ypres, during the Passchendaele Offensive. In this period of bitter fighting the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment lost 9 officers and 208 other ranks – roughly half their fighting strength.

John Sorrell is also commemorated at St James the Great Church, Eve Hill, Dudley and on the Dudley Civic Memorial.

His brother Joseph also served in the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment. Sadly he was killed in action on 26th September 1918, he is buried in Pigeon Ravine Cemetery, Epehy.

 

Malvern News 5/5/17
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929