James Bertram Widdowson
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- Military History
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Bertie James (also James Bertram) was the son of James Harris and Elizabeth Widdowson (née French). His father James Harris Widdowson was born in New Whittington, Derbyshire, in 1871 and his mother Elizabeth (Lizzie) French was born in Tydd St Giles, Cambridgeshire, in 1874. They were married in 1898 (reg. Newark) and had three children: Bertie James (as registered) b. Claypole Lincolnshire 1898 (reg. Newark), Frank b. Gainsborough 1899 and Gladys Mary b. Gainsborough 1901. In 1901 James, a mechanical engineer's draughtsman, and Lizzie were living at 16 Forster Street, Gainsborough, with their three children Bertie (3), Frank (1) and Gladys (under 1 year). By 1911 the family had moved to North Street, Sturton le Steeple, Nottinghamshire, but only James (sic) and Frank were in the home with their parents on the night of the census. Their sister Gladys (10) was with her maternal aunt, Sarah Ann French, a company housekeeper, at 10 Pleasant Street, North Shore, Blackpool. James Harris, an engineer's draughtsman, and his wife were living on West Carr Road, Retford, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled.
James attested on 31 May 1916, aged 18 years 2 months, and was transferred to the Army Reserve the following day, 1 June. He was mobilised on 4 October 1916 and posted to the ASC (MT) on 6 October, joining at Grove Park the following day before transferring to the Learners' Section on the 9th. He was compulsorily transferred to the Durham Light Infantry (TR) on 23 January 1917 then to the Training Reserve Bn on 12 June. On 6 July James was again transferred, this time to the Leicestershire Regiment. James attended a medical board on 21 July 1917 which found him physically unfit, 'attributed to service'. The diagnosis was (-) disease and pericarditis ['swelling and irritation of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart']. Origin: 'had scarlet fever 1905 (home). Result of ordinary military service - exposure.' James Bertram was discharged from the Army on 11 August 1917 under King's Regulations para. 392 (xvi), 'No longer physically fit for war service' and awarded a Silver War Badge (No. 228,980). He had served for 312 days and his character at the time of his discharge was described as 'honest, sober and trustworthy.'. James died in 1918 (O/N/D) aged 20.
Discharged 11 August 1917, 'No longer physically fit for war service'. He is not recorded on CWGC.
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