James Doubleday
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James was born in 1896 in Mapperley, Nottingham, and was the only child of James John A., a florist, and Ada Doubleday née Arnold. His father James John A. was born in 1874 in Sneinton and his mother Ada was born in 1873 in Nottingham. They were married in 1896, the marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district. In the 1911 census the family is living at 14 Coburg {later Corby) Road Mapperley with James's grandfather, John, a 77 year old widower who was living on his own means. Also at the address is James John 36 yrs a florist and his wife Ada 37 yrs and James 14 yrs, a jobbing gardener.
Private James Doubleday enlisted on 28th February 1916 in Nottingham. He gave his age as 19 yrs and 223 days and his address as 14 Coburg Road, Mapperley. He was a market gardener. He was placed into the reserves the following day. He was mobilised on 20th May 1916 and was first posted with service number 149568 to the Royal Field Artillery. He landed in France on 20th October 1916, and was then transferred to the 20th battalion Durham Light Infantry. It was whilst he was serving in the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry that he was killed in action on 18th March 1917. He is buried in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium (grave reference: 1.D.6).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Dearer to memory than words can tell' Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 30 March 1917: ‘Doubleday. Killed in action March 18th, Private James Doubleday, Durhan Light Infantry, aged 20, the dearly-loved and only child of Mr and Mrs J Doubleday, florist, 14, Corby-road, Mapperley. A bitter blow, a shock sever, to part with one we loved so dear.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In Memoriam', Nottingham Evening Post dated 18th March 1919 : - DOUBLEDAY. – In loving memory of our dearly loved and only child, Pte. James Doubleday, killed in action March 18th, 1917, aged 20. Two years have passed, and still to memory dear. We breathe his loving name, and shed the silent tear. – From his heartbroken mother and father, florists, Mapperley, and friend, W. Wragg.” Above notice is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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