John George Devitt

Born in 1897 in Gateshead, John Devitt enlisted in the 9th (Territorial Force) Battalion DLI in October 1914 but transferred in 1916 to the 8th Battalion DLI, before seeing action on the Western Front. Lance Sergeant Devitt was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in March 1918, when he "rallied and organised his men" during the battalion's retreat to Rosieres. During the fighting, he was severely wounded in his left leg by shell fire and it had to be amputated. After the war, John Devitt moved to Melton Mowbray. He died there in 1974.