James Wallace's Story.
Birkenhead News 21 October 1916After Five Weeks
Another Claughton Higher Grade Boy Falls.
A letter has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Beattie, of 1, South Hill Road, Oxton, from an officer of a Cheshire, informing them that their youngest son, Pte. James Wallace Beattie, has fallen in battle.
The letter speaks in the highest terms of this young soldier, who was only 19 years of age, and states that he was killed instantaneously on the 13th October. Pte. Beattie joined in the early part of this year, and had been at the front only about five weeks. He was educated at Claughton Higher Grade School. For six months prior to joining he had been engaged as a postal clerk. Prior to that he held the position for three years of booking clerk with the Mersey Railway. He was a lover of art and had marked musical gifts.
James had a step-brother, William Andrew Booth, who was killed in action on 26th November 1917.
Research by Chris