Lance Corporal John Herbert G. Gobbey was born on 15 August 1887 in Walham Green and his birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in the Fulham registration district. He was the elder of the two children of John Lavender Gobbey and Jane Gobbey née Prigmore. His father was an Omnibus Conductor who later became a Stationary Engine Driver for an Electricity Company. The 1891 census shows him living with his parents and younger sister Mabel Louisa Harriet Gobbey (1888-1975) at 11 Festing Road, Putney. On 15 May 1893 he was admitted into St Mary’s Boys School (now St Mary’s Church of England School) in Felsham Road, Putney. The 1901 census shows all the family still residing at 11 Festing Road.
On 16 September 1905 he enlisted in the army, giving his occupation as a Brass Moulder. The 1911 census shows him as a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers at the Hugh Rose Barracks, Jubbulpore (now Jabalpur), India. He transferred into the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, his service number being 11817 and on the outbreak of World War One he entered France on 21 September 1914. He was wounded and evacuated to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire where he died, aged 27 years, on 15 November 1914. He was buried on 18 November 1914 in the Church of England Section, Grave No.1637, of the Netley Military Cemetery which now lies within a park maintained by Hampshire County Council on the site of the former hospital.
His father was sent his army effects totalling £7-13s-0d on 16 April 1915 and his £5-0s-0d war gratuity on 7 June 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with the 5th August - 22nd November 1914 clasp, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and The Victory Medal which were posted to his father who remained at Festing Road for a number of years. He is also commemorated on a plaque listing all the men of Putney who died in World War One inside St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street, London, SW15 1SN.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan
