Name
James Richard Gough
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/11/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
105756
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
1st/1st
"B" Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
E. 149.
Egypt
Headstone Inscription
Our love is with him for ever and ever
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
James Richard Gough was born in 1881 in Adstock, Buckinghamshire, and his parents were Richard and Martha Ann Gough.
In 1881 the family were living at The Farm House, Adstock, Buckinghamshire. Present were both parents: Richard (37) and Martha (34), with Richard a farmer and employer, farming 100 acres. Their children were: Elizabeth Mary (4), Frances Alice (2) and James Richard at 3 months. A servant, Amy J. Phillips (18) was also present.
In 1891 the family were living in Main Street, Adstock, Buckinghamshire – possibly the same property. Present were both parents: Richard now working as a farmer. Their children were all present plus Grace E (19).
By 1901 the James’ family were living at Dairy House, Brockhall, Northamptonshire. Present were both parents with Richard now a milkman on farm. The only one of their children there was Frances Alice. James has not been found in 1901 so far.
James married Eva Rose Porter in 1905 and in Hitchin. Before the 1911 they had the following children: Winifred Joan (b 26 June 1907), Richard (b 29 August 1909, Grace (b 10 March 1911),
and in 1911 they family were living at 8 White Hill, Highbury, Hitchin. James was 30 and now working as a Grocers Assistant and Eva 25. The census recorded they had been married for 5 years with 3 children, all living and they are those named above. In addition James’ parent were living with them. Richard Gough, 68 and a retired farmer and Martha Ann Gough 64.
James and Eva and two more children, James Robert (b 21 April 1913) and Alfred (James or Richard, b 28 December 1914).
Before he enlisted into the Herts Yeomanry in 1915, he worked for Messrs. W B Moss & Sons after serving an apprenticeship. He worked as one of their travellers
Officially James was recorded as living in Highbury, Hitchin when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
He was originally given the Regimental Number 2485 and later changed (probably 1917) 105756 and was posted to ‘B’ Squadron to Egypt where he fought the Senussi tribesmen in Western Egypt. He was then posted to France and later returned to Egypt and served at Gaza with the Australian Mounted Troops. He also served in Palestine and Syria and contracted malaria whilst taking part in operations near Damascus and Beirut. He died of that disease in Alexandria hospital in Egypt.
He was buried in Row E, Grave 149 in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt.
An officer wrote shortly after his death. It read: “His death to me was a tremendous blow something Colonel to you it must be something quite unspeakable. To my mind he was a wonderful example to everyone in the squadron. No words of mine can give you comfort. I can only assure you he was a friend of everyone in the squadron.”
Additional Information
After his death £38 15 0d was authorised to go to his widow, Eva, on 17 June 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £20 was probably authorised.
His pension cards record Eva R Gough as his widow and dependant, living at 8 White Hill, Highbury, Hitchin. It also listed their children as Winifred Joan (b 26 June 1907), Richard (b 29 August 1909, Grace (b 10 March 1911), James Robert (b 21 April 1913) and Alfred (James or Richard, b 28 December 1914). She was awarded a pension of 37s 11d a week from 19 May 1919. Sha had also received a grant of £10 on 11 December 1918.
His widow, Eva Rose Gough, ordered his headstone inscription while living at 8, White Hill, Highbury, Hitchin, it reads: “OUR LOVE IS WITH HIM FOR EVER AND EVER”.
At least one ‘In Memorial’ notice was placed, the one found was in the Bucks Advertiser, placed on 8 November 1919 and it included the above text from an officer’s letter.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
