John was born in Weeting in 1889, the son of Henry and Agnes Malt and brother of Victor Malt.

He joined the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment. It seems that army life appealed to John, as in October 1905 he signed up for eight years with the Suffolk Regiment. His career was to be a short one, as he was discharged "Unfit for Further Service" on 15th November 1906.

The 1911 census records John as a gardener for Weeting Hall, living at home with his parents.

With the outbreak of war John re-enlisted, joining the Norfolk Regiment in Norwich in August 1914. He arrived in France on 30th May 1915. The remainder of his service record has yet to be uncovered, but he was reported to be wounded and in hospital in the Thetford and Watton times of 28th October 1916.

The issue of 18th November 1916 reported that he had been repatriated to hospital in Liverpool where he died of his wounds.

The report continues ...“[His] remains were brought to Brandon for interment in his native parish. Full military honours were accorded by a party of Royal Welch Fusiliers last Saturday when the funeral took place, and there was a very large attendance of friends, parishioners, residents of Brandon and the district. ... A volley was fired over the grave and the Last Post sounded.

• The chief mourners were:
• Mr & Mrs H Malt (parents)
• Pte W Malt, Mr James Malt, Serjt. V Malt, Pte. C Malt, Mr A Malt (brothers)
• Mrs Ernest Malt
• Mrs J Osborne (sister)
• Miss B Warren.”

The information presented here has been derived from surviving public and military records as well as from contemporary press reports. We hope you find it of interest ‐ if you think we have made an error, or can add any further details, please get in touch.