John Andrew Bowring Paul, the son of William Fowler and Phoebe Katherine Paul, was born in 1894 and attested for the Honourable Artillery Company at Armoury House on 21 September 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 December 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, on 12 August 1915.
He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on the Somme on 29 July 1916, the regimental history of the East Surrey Regiment giving the following account:
‘On the night of 29 July, “C” Company sustained thirty-two casualties through an 8-in. shell landing in the Brigade advanced store containing bombs, S.A.A., Véry lights and rockets. Several men were badly burnt by the Véry lights and rockets, but only a few bombs exploded. 2nd Lieutenant J. A. B. Paul, who was in charge of the working party, showed great coolness in extricating his men from their dangerous position, and for this and other gallant acts was subsequently awarded the Military Cross.’
The Military Cross (M.C.) published in the London Gazette 26 September 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of a working party. When a shell burst in an ammunition store, causing many casualties, he rescued and bound up several wounded men at great risk from exploding bombs. Later, on two occasions, he rescued officers under heavy fire.’
Paul was killed in action a few months later, on 10 October 1916, while serving on attachment to the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment -
‘He was an absolutely fearless officer and a great loss to the Battalion’.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
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