Service number: 5820224 | Rank: (W.O.I) Regimental Sergeant Major | Regiment: 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died, December 1, 1947.
Buried BRANDON CEMETERY, Suffolk, UK. Grave 1075.
Aged 47. Son of Robert Edward and Annie Maria Tuck, of Brandon; husband of Honor Sadie Tuck, of Watford, Hertfordshire.
WHAT I KNOW ABOUT JOHN …
John Tuck was born in Brandon on 28th May 1900. He was the eldest child to Robert Edward and Annie Maud (nee Dyer). The family were living at George Street, Brandon, at the time. His father was a carpenter before he volunteered for the army in January 1915 – to fight in the World War One. He joined the Royal Engineers and went over to France in July 1915. John was aged fourteen at the time. In July 1917, the Bury Free Press printed a report about John’s father being wounded …
“SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
Last Saturday, Mrs Tuck, George Street, was the recipient of a field postcard from her husband, Lance Corporal R.S. Tuck, informing her that he was quite well. She also received a letter, dated the same day, from the Rev J.O. Murry, Church of England chaplain, saying her husband had been seriously wounded in one arm and was in hospital. The wounded soldier enlisted as a volunteer 2½ years since. He went through the battles of Loos and Arras and had ten months on the Somme. There is a family of six children, and much sympathy is felt for them.”
In the spring of 1940, John married a Brandon girl, Honor Sadie Kent. Honor’s brother, Clive Kent, was a member of Brandon’s Home Guard until he died in March 1942. The Bury Free Press reported Clive’s funeral was attended by the town’s Home Guard, as well as Honor and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant John Tuck. Sometime between 1942 and 1947, John was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
John died at 134 Gammons Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, leaving £845 16s 2d in his will to his widow, Honor. He is buried in a family plot in Brandon’s cemetery. An inscription on his headstone reads,
“A much loved and honoured man”
On 18th January, 1991, while she was living at 1 Princes Close, Brandon, Honor. Honor was aged 85, and was interred in the same plot as John, with an inscription added to their headstone,
“Together once more”
John’s final resting place is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. However, his name does not appear on Brandon’s war memorial.