James Bott
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James was born in 1891 in Shepshed, Leicestershire, and was the eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bott (née Berrington). Thomas and Elizabeth were married in first quarter of 1888 (Loughborough registration district). They went on to have five children; James b 1891 Shepshed and William b1893, Clara b1895, Ada b1899 and Albert b1903 who were all born in Woodthorpe, Leicestershire. In the 1901 census the family was living at Woodthorpe and shown as Thomas 40 yrs, a farm waggoner, his wife Elizabeth 41 yrs and their four children, James 10 yrs, William 8 yrs, Clara 6 yrs and Ada 2 yrs. Their fifth child, Albert, was born two years later. By the 1911 census Thomas had moved back to his birth village and living at The Glebe Farm, Long Whatton, where he was the farm baliff. Also in the home on the night of the census were his wife Elizabeth, daughter Ada a scholar and son Albert 8 yrs. Both James and his brother William had left the family home and were farm servants working for and living with Thomas Hames and his family at Barrow upon Soar. James was a waggoner and William a cowman. Their sister Clara had also left home and was working as a domestic servant for George Gelsthorpe, a licenced victualler, at the Duke of York Hotel, Nottingham Road, Loughborough. James' mother Elizabeth died on 16 February 1930 and his father Thomas on 26 April 1933. Both were buried in Holy Trinity churchyard, Barrow upon Soar (Plot 90).
James enlisted in Louth, Lincolnshire, but gave his residence as Stockingford, Warwickshire. He served with the 15th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), which was a Bantam regiment. He was killed in action on 14th July 1918 and is buried in Abeele Aerodrome Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave reference II A 4). 15th (Service) Battalion (Nottingham): Formed at Nottingham in February 1915, by the Mayor and a Committee, as a Bantam Battalion. In June 1915 the battalion moved to Masham and came under orders of 105th Brigade in 35th Division. Moved to Salisbury Plain in August 1915 and 1 February 1916 landed in France.
James Bott is also commemorated on the Barrow upon Soar War Memorial at Holy Trinity Church and also on the Memorial Cross, Industry Square, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. The East Akeley Deanery Parish Magazine, Holy Trinity Church, Barrow-on-Soar, August 1918: 'The War - The Roll of Honour - Killed in Action - The sad news has been received that Private James Bott, of the Notts. And Derby Regiment, was killed in action on July 15th, 1918. We desire to express our deepest sympathy with his wife and parents and the members of his family.' 'The East Akeley Deanery Parish Magazine, Holy Trinity Church, Barrow-on-Soar, September 1918: 'Remembered - A Memorial Service - Was held for those who have made the Great Sacrifice for their country during the past twelve months was held on Saturday, September 28th, at 3 p.m. Named on the Roll of Honour: Private James Bott, 15th Notts. & Derby Regiment, July 15th, 1918.'
