James's Story.
James was born in Stockport, the son of Charles and Sarah. In 1911 he was age 25 and living at his family home at 3 Baguley Street, Stockport. He married Lily (nee Davenport) 7 August 1915, and they set up home at 124 Chapel Street, Edgeley. They worshipped at St Thomas' C of E Church on Wellington Road South. James was employed at the towel works of Barker & Co on Longshut Lane. In his spare time, he a member of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge of the Oddfellows.
He enlisted into the army at Stockport 6 December 1915 and was mobilised 23 February 1916. James was based in the UK until 20 June 1917. He embarked at Southampton to join the B.E.F. arriving at Le Havre the following day. Two days later, 23 June he was posted to the 7th battalion South Lancashire Regiment, however 16 days after that he was transferred to the 13th battalion Cheshire Regiment and allotted a new regimental number 51050.
It is believed that James took part in an attack on Friday 10 August 1917, on the Westhoek Ridge, the war diary for the day states, the battalion attacked and captured the German frontline and Support lines, total casualties from the 5/8/17 to the relief on the night of the 11th 11 officers wounded and other ranks, 50 killed 266 wounded 56 missing (total 372) Either during the attack, or the 11th, James was seriously wounded. He would have been evacuated from the battlefield and received treatment from the Battalion Medical Officer just behind the front line. Once stabilised, he would have been further moved to No.32 Casualty Clearing Station at Brandhoek, some 10 kilometres away where he died from the wounds received.
In 1919 his widow Lily, received £3 war gratuity and then in 1920 the memorial scroll, his mother Sarah wrote to the records office in Stretford to ask if she was entitled to also have one, a few days later she received the reply that the scroll could not be duplicated.
