James Sherratt's Story.
EARLY LIFE
James Sherratt Moss was born in Macclesfield in 1886, the son of Elias Moss, a road labourer. In 1891, four-year-old James was living at House 1 Court 4 Pool St, Macclesfield with his widowed father and siblings Elias (10) and Sarah (8). In 1901, James was living at New Hall Farm, Gawsworth, where he was employed by farmer John Thompstone as a horse teamster on the farm.
On 29 December 1903, at the age of eighteen, James joined the 4th Cheshire Regiment with service number 5432. He was discharged after nearly five years, on 4 February 1908, with the reason "medically unfit for Special Reserve."
In 1911, James was living at 15 George Street, Macclesfield with widow Mary Hindley, their five-year-old daughter, Maggie, and Mary's five children from her previous marriage.
WW1 SERVICE
James enlisted on 12 December 1915 and was mobilised on 2 March 1916 and promoted to Lance-Corporal on 2 June 1916. After completing his training, he was posted overseas on 1 September 1916.
The death of L/Cpl Moss was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 8 June 1917:
LANCE-CORPORAL J S MOSS DIES OF WOUNDS IN SALONIKA
Mrs Moss, 15 George St, off Sunderland St, Macclesfield, has been officially notified that her husband, Lce-Corporal James Sherratt Moss, Cheshire Regt, died in the 29th General Hospital, Salonika, on May 28th from a wound in the right thigh sustained in action on April 27th.... a comrade... saw the Lance-Corporal fall.
Lance-Corporal Moss was 31 years of age, and the son of Mr Elias Moss, Poynton St, on Chester Rd. He was educated at Lord Street School and attended Christ Church. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a porter at Hibel Road (L & NW) Railway Station, where he had been for many years. The Lance-Corporal joined up on March 2nd 1916 and after training at Prees Heath was drafted out to Salonika about nine months ago. Shortly after arrival he was struck in the face by a piece of shrapnel, and after being in hospital for a few days returned to the firing line.
Mrs Moss, who has been married twice, has two sons serving with the colours: Private Joseph Hindley, Cheshire Regt (serving in Palestine) and Private T Hindley, Shropshire Light Infantry (now in hospital at Bristol). The last-named was recently wounded in the right arm in France. He enlisted on the outbreak of war, and after spending fifteen months at the front, came home on four days' leave. On returning, he was wounded in the knee, and after a month at home, again went to the firing line. Two of Mrs Moss' brothers have also been out to France. Private John White, Lancs Fusiliers, has been wounded twice and is now at the front; and private James White, now stationed at Grantham with the Cheshire regiment, has been gassed. A nephew, private Samuel White, Lancs Fusiliers, was killed in action in Egypt about twelve months ago; and a brother-in-law, Private William Hindley, of the Australians, also met his death in action while fighting in France ten months ago. Three sons-in-law of Mrs Moss have also played their part: Private Frisk, Cheshire Regt, has lost the use of his right arm and hand through a wound and has been discharged. he resides in Townley St. Private J Barr, Manchester Regt, has also been discharged on account of shell-shock; and Private Philip Ratcliffe is serving in France with the Cheshires. He was one of the hundred local Territorials who voluntarily transferred to another battalion for active service.
COMMEMORATION
L/Cpl James Moss is buried in grave ref. 21 of the Mikra British Cemetery, Greece. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for L/Cpl James Moss, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
In Macclesfield, L/Cpl James Moss is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and St Michael’s Church war memorials.
SOURCES
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 8 June 1917 and 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Macclesfield.