MERVYN JAMES GANT

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 11th June 1916, Mill Farm, Hintlesham, Suffolk.

Baptised: 13th August 1916, Hintlesham, Suffolk.

Died: 3rd January 1942; age: 25; of Cardio Respiratory Failure & Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the Military Hospital, Davyhulme, Urmston, Lancashire. Violet was present at her husband’s death.

Residence: 8, Wilberforce Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: Carter – Transport.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 5831097.

Regiment: Cambridgeshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion – Infantry.

Grave Reference:

C.31.38.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Father: John Gant, born 1856, Semer, Suffolk – died May 1930, Hintlesham, Suffolk. A Shepherd.

Mother: Alice Eliza Gant (nee Taylor), born 1880, Ashdown, Essex.

Sister: Alice Maud Gant, born 1905, Hintlesham.

CENSUS

1921   Old Mill House, Hintlesham, Suffolk.

Mervyn was 5 years old. He attended School and lived with his parents and sisters.

John Gant, 67 years & 5 months old, a Shepherd for Mr. Walter Turner – Farmer, of Northlands, Hintlesham.

Alice Gant, 39 years & 1 month old, Home Duties.

Violet Annie Gant, 18 years & 11 months old, a Land Worker for Mr. Walter Turner – Farmer, of Northlands, Hintlesham, born Hintlesham.

Ellen Mary Gant, 17 years & 8 months old, a Land Worker for Mr. Walter Turner – Farmer, of Northlands, Hintlesham, born Hintlesham.

Edith Gladys Gant, 12 years & 3 months old, at School, born Hintlesham.

Rose Mary Gant, 8 years & 10 months old, at School, born Hintlesham.

Mervyn’s father, John Gant, died in May 1930, Hintlesham.

On the 8th October 1938, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich, Mervyn, a General Worker, of 29, Wilberforce Street, Ipswich, married Violet Mabel Cracknell, born November 1919, Ipswich – daughter of George Cracknell and Ethel Sarah Cracknell (nee Gooch), of Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Mervyn was a Carrier’s Van Man – Horse Driver. He and Violet lived at their home – 36, Dillwyn Street, Ipswich.

Mervyn’s stepbrothers died in the First World War:

Thomas John Gant, a Private, 19217, of the East Yorkshire Regiment, 6th Battalion. KiA 26th September 1916, aged 19. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

John Samuel Gant M.M., of Canowindra, N.S.W., Australia, a Private, 5574, of the Australian Infantry, 17th Battalion. Died of Pneumonia 19th November 1918, aged 31 and laid to rest at St. Marie Cemetery, Le Harve, France.