J.R. Bleasdale
Epithet: Soldier in the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment
Record type: First World War Biographies
Town / Village residence: Castletown
Biography: John Robert Bleasdale (known as Bobby) was the son of a former Colour Sergeant in the Castletown garrison. He joined the 5th battalion the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment at the outbreak of war and was posted to France in 1915. He was appointed as one of the battalion bombers, those men specially trained in throwing grenades (or bombs, as they were sometimes called). Bleasdale was reported missing on 15 August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, whilst he was attached to the 11th battalion the Rifle Brigade. His body was not recovered, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial to the missing. (Image ref: PG/13743/43).