James Starkey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James Starkey was the third child of William and Barbara Starkey (nee Burnett) He was born in 1881 in New Holland, Lincolnshire and bought up in Barrow on Humber. James’ father was a railway goods guard which probably helped James gaining employment, as a railway clerk for the Great Central Railway Company, where in 1901, he living as a boarder at Rugby. In 1906, he Married Florence Helen Herbert. In 1908 they had a son called William who was born in Leicester. By 1911 the family were living at their residence at 174 Beatrice Road, Leicester, James still working as a railway clerk. Just after this time, James, Florence and William arrived in Worksop, where he carried on with his railway duties and in 1913 they had another son born in Worksop who they named Harold
Signaller J. Starkey Worksop Guardian 28 June 1918 The sympathy of our readers will be extended to Mrs. Starkey, 11, Edward Street, Worksop, in the loss which has befallen her by the death of her husband, Signaller James Starkey, R.G.A., Signal Section, news of which reached her on Monday afternoon. Prior to enlistment, Signaller Starkey was the chief clerk at Worksop passenger station, and in his capacity he was exceedingly well known to the travelling public. He was a capable and most obliging official, and a faithful employee of the Great Central Railway Company, in whose service he had been from a boy. He enlisted in September 7th last year, and was 38 years of age. He had been in Worksop six years, during which time he had made many friends. After training at Bedford, he was drafted to France on May 13th, so that he had hardly been on active service six months when the end came. The news was contained in a letter to Mrs. Starkey from his Commanding Officer, Lieut. Witty, who says:- “It is with the greatest regret that I inform you that your husband was added to the Roll of Hero’s who have given their all for England and home today. A shell struck the dug out in which he was and mercifully killed him instantly. It will perhaps comfort you to know that he thus passed away without pain. On behalf of myself and the signalling section, in which he was such a capable member, I tender you my deepest sympathy, I can, perhaps, realise a little of your sorrow that you must feel, as I lost one of my brothers a short time ago….I pray that you may receive comfort and help to bear under it. I am having him buried by the Church of England Chaplain tomorrow, and a cross erected over his grave”. The deceased soldier leaves two little kids, with whom, and their mother and other relatives, every sympathy is felt. Two of Mrs. Starkey’s brothers are in the Navy, and one is in the Army.
Formerly 93516, Notts and Derby Regt and attd. 17th Bde. Signal Sub. Sect when serving in the Royal Engineers.. Hedauville Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
