James Easom
Worked at Shirebrook and Langwith collieries
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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Possibly son of Thomas and Annie Easom of 149 Station Road Shirebrook.
Siblings: Thomas (1882), Elizabeth (1884), Betsy (1886), Samuel (1887), William (1890), Emma (1893), John (1895). If this is James's family then his oldest brother, Thomas is the father of Frederick Easom, who died in 1941 whilst serving with the Royal Engineers.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 16/8/1940: Cpl James Easom of Mansfield has recently been reported missing, served in the Auxillery Military Pioneer Corps, of 30 George Street, Mansfield Woodhouse.
Cpl Easom is 38 years old and joined up before the war having been employed at Shirebrook and Langwith collieries. Saw service with a Scottish regiment in World War I. Joining at the age of 16 and served in India and France. Has a wife and 2 children.
James died when the Lancastria was sunk of St Nazaire, France. S.S. Lancastria was an ocean going liner and was being used to evacuate Allied servicemen and civilians (embassy staff and their families, frefugeesfrom St Nazaire. Officially the ship could take just over 2000 but the master, Captain Sharp said he could take 3000 at a pinch but he was told to take as many as he could "without regard to limits of international law". In the end there were in excess of 4000 on board and some estimates but the number closer to 9000. At 15:50 hours a German air raid began and the Lancastria was hit by 3 or 4 bombs and she sank in 15 to 20 minutes.
2,477 survived and the Lancastria Association lists 1,738 as pershing but this number of deaths is probably inaccurate as it was not known how many were actually on board or their names, so the death toll may be 4000 to 7000 more.
Unknown
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