Name
James Flack
18/03/1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/27462
Rifle Brigade
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
III. J. 11.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt
Pre War
James Flack was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on, 18th March 1893, son of Frederick Flack a, Coach Builder and Hannah Margaret Flack (nee Skey). The youngest of twelve children although four died in infancy.
He attended St Mary’s Infants School, Cheshunt from June 1897, then Dewhurst Endowed Boys School, Cheshunt, leaving in July 1907, aged 14, to start work.
1901 Census record James aged 8, living with his parents, four brothers and sister Emma (10) at, 4 Lordship Road, Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census, James now aged 18, is working as a Law Clerk, living with his parents, brother Benjamin (23) and sister Emma (20), still at 4 Lordship Road, Cheshunt.
Wartime Service
James enlisted at Cheshunt, Herts, on 7th December 1915, posted to the Army Reserve the following day the 8th. He gave his age as 22 years & 8 months, his occupation as a Bank Clerk, and address as, 4 Orchard Villas, Lordship Road, Cheshunt.
He was mobilized for War Service in June 1916, and posted to the 19th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, with the service number 29913, on 1st July 1916. On completion of his training, he embarked at Southampton on 6th November 1916, for Le Havre, France arriving the following day the 7th. Joining his Battalion in the field on 21st November 1916.
James was admitted to hospital on 7th March 1917, returning home to England aboard HMHS “Stad Antwerpen” on 13th March 1917. On his recovery he was given home leave from 6th April 1917 to 16th April 1917. On his return he was transferred to the 5th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, as Rifleman S/27462 James Flack. Returning to the Western Front he sailed from Southampton on 19th June 1917, arriving at, Le Havre, France, the following day the 20th. On his arrival in France, he was posted to the 11th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, joining them in the field on 8th July 1917. James was wounded by a lethal gas shell attach on 14th August 1917, and admitted to No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem, Belgium, where he died of the effects of the gas on 17th August 1917.
Additional Information
His father Frederick Flack received a Dependents Pension of 15/- a week, for life from 26th February 1918.
His effects of £4-6s-11d, Pay Owing and War Gratuity of £4, went to his Executer, his brother William Flack.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
