James Francis Bassett

James Francis was the son of Frederick William and Ann Margaret Bassett (née Jones). His father Frederick William was born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, in 1871. However, he was living in Nottinghamshire on 24 February 1890, the date he was employed by the Midland Railway Company as a horse driver at Toton Station. His mother Ann Margaret Jones was born in Dolgelly, Merionith, Wales, in 1866. According to the 1911 Census, Frederick and his wife had been married for 17 years (c. 1894) but the only record of marriage traced to date is 1936 (J/F/M Nottingham). Frederick and Ann had at least four sons (listed as five on the census but '3 living, 1 died' named as FWE, GA, JF and CD), all of whom predeceased their parents. The children were: Frederick William Ernest b. Bedfordshire 1894 bap. Toddington 1894 and Albert George b. 1895 bap. Lubenham Leics. 1896, James Francis b. 1897 bap. Lubenham 25 December 1897 and Claude Denis b. 1905 d. 1906 who were all born in Radford, Nottingham. In 1901 Frederick, a railway signalman, and Ann, were living at 97 Miall Street, Radford, with their three sons, Frederick, Albert and James (3). Also in the household were three boarders, all railway employees. The youngest son Claude was born four years later but died in 1906 although his name was included on the 1911 Census. The family was still living at the same address in 1911: Frederick was still employed as a signalman, Frederick and George were grocers' assistants and James was a grocer's errand boy. The family had moved to 28 Beeston Road, Dunkirk, Nottingham, by the time the sons attested and Frederick and Ann were still living at the same address at the time of their deaths, Ann in March 1943 and Frederick in August 1944. Both made Wills; administration of Ann's Will was awarded to her husband, 'a retired railwayman', and administration of Frederick's was awarded to his granddaughter Lucy Audrey Critchley (née Bassett) and his daughter-in-law, Alice Maud Bassett (Albert George's widow). James' two brothers also served in the war: Frederick served in the 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (7713, 203262 Private), attesting on 22 January 1916. He was aged 21 years 4 months, a clerk (railway) and living at 28 Beeston Drive with his parents. He served in France from 3 January 1917 but was captured at Lens on 1 July 1917 and was a prisoner of war at Douai Prison Camp and then at Dulmen Prison Camp. He was discharged from the army to his parent's home on 3 March 1919. Frederick married Lucy Hudson in December 1919 and they had two children James Francis b. 1920 and Lucy Audrey b. 1922 (m. 1943, Critchley). It is likely that in 1921 Frederick, Lucy and their son James were living with Frederick's parents in Dunkirk. Frederick died in March 1931; he and his family were living at City Road, Dunkirk. His widow remarried (FH Cheetham, 1938) and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled she and her two children James and Lucy, were living in Derby with other members of her husband's family. Albert George attested on 22 November 1915 aged 21y 6m; he was employed as a train controller's assistant, Midland Railway Company, probably at Nottingham Depot Station, and living in Dunkirk. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 23 November and in December 1916 advised the army of his change of address to Saltley, Birmingham, when he was transferred from Nottingham Depot Station to the Midland Railway's Control Depot at Saltley. Albert was not mobilised until 31 July 1917 when he was posted to the Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport (293224, later Lance Corporal). He was discharged to 28 Beeston Road, Dunkirk on 10 March 1919 having served 1 year 223 days. Albert returned to Birmingham where he married Alice M Webb in 1929 by whom he had three children. George was working for the Midland Railway as a district inspector when he was fatally injured in a railway accident on 19 June 1940 (see 'Extra information). Ann Margaret and her sons Frederick and Albert were buried in Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham.