Name
James Alfred West
26/04/1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15743
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY
A. 184.
Greece
Headstone Inscription
"HE DIED FOR US"
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial Waltham Cross,
Pre War
James Alfred West was born on 26th April 1894, in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, son of James West a, Carman and Emma West (nee Frost). The eldest of five children.
James was Baptised on 17th June 1894 in Cheshunt, Herts.
1901 Census records James aged 6, living with his parent, sisters Dorothy (5) and Jessie (2 months), at 4 South View Cottages, Park Lane, Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census, James aged 16 has left school and is working as a Van Boy, living with his parents and four sisters, Dorothy (15), Jessie (10), Mary (8) and Helena (7) at, 6 Southview Villas, Holmwood Road, Freezy Water, Waltham Cross, Herts.
Wartime Service
James enlisted in London, posted to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and issued with the service number 15743.
On completion of his training, James and his Battalion were sent to France, arriving in Boulogne on 22nd September 1915, seeing action on the Western Front for a short period of time before being sent to Salonica, sailing from Marseilles, arriving there on 13th November 1915, where they joined the Mesopotamia Front. (The Battalion remained there until the end of the war). James died on 23rd April 1917, of wounds received in action.
He is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. Grave Ref; A. 184.
Additional Information
His mother Emma received a dependent pension of 15/- a week from 8th January 1918, and his effects of £12-15s-05d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £12.
His Headstone inscription “HE DIED FOR US” was requested by Mrs. E. West of 39 Holmwood Road, Freeze Water, Waltham Cross, Herts. (His Mother).
He is also recorded on the family grave in St James Churchyard Enfield Highway.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
