Subject

Private in the K.O.S. Borderers.

Andrew Behan has researched this man: Private John Argent was born in 1879 in Hampstead, a son of William Joseph Argent and Eliza Argent née Chandler. His father was a Heath Labourer/Gardener. He was baptised on 18 May 1879 at Christ Church, Hampstead and the 1881 census shows the family living at Ambrose Cottages, North End, Hampstead. The 1891 census informs that their address was 11 Ambrose Cottages, North End and John Argent was shown as a scholar. The 1901 census states that the family had moved to 5 Heath Passage, Hampstead and his occupation was shown as a gardener. He was still living at this address when he married Emma Jessie Watts on 1 June 1905 at Christ Church, Hampstead, giving his occupation as a Motor Man. The 1911 census states that they were residing at 15 May Road, Twickenham and he was an Insurance Agent.

He enlisted in the King's Own Scottish Borderers in Twickenham, service number 28623 and was serving in their 2nd Battalion when he was killed in action, aged 38 years, on 9 April 1917, the first day of the five weeks long Battle of Arras in France. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Bay 6, Course 'A', Stone 3 of the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. His widow was sent his effects totalling £3-2s-3d on 18 August 1917 and a £3-0s-0d war gratuity on 15 October 1919 by which time she was living at 6 Holly Mount, Hampstead. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.