John Walter James
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Jacob James and Elizabeth Brain married in 1873 at Merthyr Tidfyl. The pair had 4 children, the first, Joseph, was born 1874 in Glamorgan, followed by Hannah 1877, born Attercliffe,Yorks, then Lucy 1882 and John Walter, 1888, both born Worksop. The family had moved to Worksop by 1891 living at 14 Clumber Place, Portland Street, Worksop with the children’s mother and grandparents. In 1901, John, (or Walter as he appears to be normally referred to) was the only child left at home, at 14 Clumber Place, Portland Street, now 14, and working as a labourer in the coal mines. In 1906, his mother died at the age of 53 and in 1911, John Walter was a boarder at 1 Manvers Street, Worksop, living in the Roberts household and working as a coal miner.
Pte John Walter James Worksop Guardian 20 April 1917 Official news were received this week of the death in hospital in Boulogne on April 12th of Pte John Walter James. Sherwood Foresters. Pte James was severely wounded in the buttock by a shot on September 26th in France, and he lingered for nearly six months in hospital suffering very much. Pte James was the son of Mr and Mrs Jacob James, and before enlistment resided with his brother, Mr Joseph James at 14 Clumber Place, Worksop. He was 27 years of age and all his working life he was employed at Shireoaks Pit. He enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters about a fortnight after war broke out, but did not go to France for eighteen months and he has had about a years’ fighting. Whilst lying in hospital in Boulogne, his brother, Mr Joseph James, went to see him and found him seriously ill, the wound having evidently injured the spine. He was however very bright and confident of getting better. A letter from the Chaplain of the hospital where he died, gives the details of his death and funeral. Writing to Mr James he says:- “You will have doubtless already heard of the death of your brother who passed away peacefully at 2.30 am on April 12th. This morning a group of us gathered together in our Military Cemetery, when your brother’s body was reverently laid to rest with military honours. It was my privilege to conduct the service and as soon as possible, the grave will be marked with a simple white cross standing amongst thousands of others. As you know, your brother was a great sufferer and these news really tells us of a happy release for him. I was sorry not to see you when you were here – Percival M Despres, CF.” Pte James will well be remembered by many friends and his painful death will be regretted
Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery He actually went to Gallipoli with 9th battalion, then Egypt. The battalion arrived in France on 1 July 1916. Research by Colin Dannatt
