www.voicesofwar.co.uk
- Admitted to hospital suffering from a compressed back on the 23/7/15.
Returned to duty at the 46th Division Base Depot at Rouen, France on the
3/8/15.
- Proceeded to join No.2 Entrenching Battalion at the front on the 15/10/15.
- Admitted to hospital sick on the 8/3/16. Transferred to the Convalescent
Depot at Le Havre on the 11/3/16.
- Transferred to North Midland Division Base Depot at Rouen on the 23/3/16.
- Proceeded to join his unit at the front on the 29/3/16.
- Killed in action in the eld on the 16/4/16.
The unit war diary for the date of his death describe the action around the
St. Eloi craters (below). James was one of two casualties that night.
Unit War Diary:
16 Apr-16 TRENCHES. At 11.00am ofcers from 25th Division came
to look over trenches previous to taking over line. At 11.30am Corps
Commander visited front line and supports. At 4.45pm enemy shelled
front line trenches with shrapnel and high explosive, also trench
mortars and bombs and rie grenades. One of the latter unfortunately
dropping in centre of trench, wounding eight men including the Battery
Observation Ofcer who was very seriously injured. D and C Coy’s
fatigues as before. Night quiet. Casualties 2 killed, 6 wounded.