John Todd was born on 18th July 1885, to George Todd (School Board Officer), and Janet Auchterlonie Pryde, when they were living at 79 South Street, Perth. He had three brothers, and three sisters: William, b. 1883; Robert, b. 1886; Elizabeth, b. 1889; Jessie, b. 1891; George, b. 1893; and Isabella, b. 1895. He was admitted to Perth Academy, on 25th September 1899, when the family were living at Leonard Street, Perth.

John Todd was employed as a Clerk, and enlisted in Glasgow, going to France in November 1914. In August 1914, The 1/9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry were at Greendyke Street, Glasgow, as part of the HLI Brigade in the Lowland Division. On mobilisation they moved to Dunfermline and on 5th November 1914 they landed in France. On 23rd November they joined the 5th Brigade in the 2nd Division.

On 30th January 1916 they left the Division and became GHQ Troops. On 29th May 1916 they joined the 100th Brigade in the 33rd Division.

The Battle of Bazentin Ridge

The battle was launched by the British Fourth Army at dawn on 14th July 1916, and marked the start of the second phase of the Battle of the Somme. Dismissed beforehand as “an attack organized for amateurs by amateurs” it turned out to be hugely successful for the British, in contrast to the disaster of the first day on the Somme. However, like the first day, the British failed to exploit their advantage in the wake of the victory and as the German resistance stiffened, a period of bloody attrition commenced. John Todd would have lost his life at some stage of this action. He was 30 years old.

Perthshire Advertiser, 29th July 1916

“THE SUPREME SACRIFICE"

“Official information has been received by Mrs Todd, 69 North Methven Street Perth, that her son, Corporal John Todd, 9th Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders) has been killed in action on the Somme, on the 15th July."

"Corporal Todd was for sometime a member of the Town Clerk’s Staff, and afterwards went to Glasgow where he obtained a post in connection with the Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers."

"Deceased, who was thirty years of age, was identified with the 4th V.B.R.H. [5th (Perthshire) Volunteer Battalion (The Black Wach) Royal Highlanders] and on going to the Second City he became treasurer to the Glasgow Perthshire Association."

"Corporal Todd had been at the Front since November, 1914, and has two brothers serving with the colours.”

John Todd is also commemorated on the former Perth Middle Church War Memorial; and the Glasgow Provincial Training College War Memorial.