Name
Thomas Henry James
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/11/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/71545
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
3rd Inf. Labour Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TOURCOING (PONT-NEUVILLE) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
C. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
EVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF HIS DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Letchworth memorials, Not on the Hitchin memorials (*1)
Pre War
Thomas Henry James was the son of Henry and probably Emily James and was born around 1881. Currently the family has not been identified in the various census amongst the other people with similar names.
From Thomas’ service record, probably added in late 1918 or 1919, we know the following, which should eventually help us find them in the census.
His full blood siblings William James (37) at Brighton Road, Weston-Super-Mare and Ivy Bains (30) 18 Yerbury Road, Tufnell Park, North London and Half-blood siblings Alexander James of 27 Fairmead Road, Holloway (35) and Frederick James (33) of Tavistock Terrace, Tufnell Park, North. To add to the confusion at the same time his father seems to be recorded at Mansion House, Hicks Street, New York City, U.S.A. and his mother at 27 Fairmead Rd, Holloway, London. Obviously this suggests that Henry had been married more than once and to the difficulty in finding them in the censuses.
Thomas married Minnie Alice Gray on 18 Mar 1916 in Islington
Thomas enlisted when he was 25 and living at 27 Fairmead Road, Holloway. Unfortunately the date is not readable, but the form as annotated with “no / married on the 18 March 1916”, so presumably before that date. His next of kin was given as Minnie Alice James, at the above address, and she was wife. He was medically examined on the 2nd or 12th of 22 June 1916. He was described as 5’ 10” tall and 142 lbs.
Wartime Service
It is not clear when he was mobilized as the service records are damaged, however the first date that can be seen is 12 June 1916, posted? On the 16th. Then it seems he was transferred to the Middlesex Regiment 28 November 1916 and finally to the 3rd Inf. Labour Coy., Middlesex Regiment on 24 February 1917.
Dates are then obscured, so many of the following are the dates when the note was added to his record. These are indicated by ’(c)’.
Around the 16 June 1917(c), he was attached to the Area Commandant, rejoining his Company in the Field 29 August 1917(c). Then attached to OC 53 Casualty Clearing Station 23 October 1917(c).
He was given leave to the UK between 26 June and 7 July 1918, then for reasons unknown he was given 3 days Field Punishment No. 2 and lost 8 days pay (16 July 1918(c)) - the loss of pay was for not complying with an order.
He died from an accidental gun shot wound to his chest while in reserve on 23 November 1918 and, despite a passing ambulance being stopped, he died before getting to No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station.
It appears that it was suspected that the bullet came from an R.A.F. aircraft. The order of the next information is not how it appears in Thomas’ service record, but an attempt has been made to put it in a logical (chronological) order.
The Court of Inquiry was held on 7 December 1918 and there were a number of witness statements, but those that do not seem to add significantly to the information are not included here.
One witness wrote “I heard the report of a single shot which appeared to come from a low flying aeroplane directly behind me. On looking round I saw number No. 71045 Private James stagger xx? who was working next to me I asked him what was the matter and he said I am shot in the chest. He then fell down in the ditch just behind us. He was afterwards taken away in an ambulance. Near where we were working there was a danger zone marked and with red ground flags. This ground was used by aeroplanes for practising machine gun fire. The point of the accident was at least 20 yards from this xxx?" (area? - word not clear)
Another wrote “I heard a machine gun shot, which appeared to come from the aeroplane. At the same time I saw No, G/71545 Private James, who was three yards from me at the time, stagger & fall into the ditch by the side of the road.”
Another document which is also partially obscured, records information from the R.A.F. airfield. It suggests that the OC (R.A.F.) called in 2 pilots “who had been engaged in practise during the morning. Both stated in my presence that the firing was fairly accurate and denied having any trouble with the guns”. Interesting the document has notes added “The Court begs to record that there were no witnesses in attendance from the 70th Squadron RAF to submit the foregoing evidence regarding the fatal injury sustained by No. G/71545 Pte. James T. H. on the 22nd November 1918.”
The Inquiry reported: “it appears that the Labour Company, on the road near Marathon Bridge, Meuin? - location obscured, on the 22/11/18, which was addressed by your O/C No 70 Squadron R.A.F., this matter has received full investigation and it is established that there were no Machines belonging to No. 70 Squadron in the air at the time of the accident, nor, after full inquiry, has any Squadron under the command of this Brigade any knowledge of the accident in question.” This was signed by P. J. C. Hainett Major for G.O.C. 2nd Brigade R.A.F. in the field 6-12-18.
This does seem to contradict the witnesses.
A short statement summarised the circumstances of the case read: “Whilst a party was working on the 22/11/18 on the road leading from the squadron office to Marathon Bridge, Meuin? (location unclear), an aeroplane was seen approaching and a shot rang out, which hit the above mentioned soldier. This happened at 1133 hours”. Several witness statements were attached (some mentioned above). No disciplinary action was taken.
Additional Information
His widow, Minnie Alice James, ordered his headstone while living at 27 Fairmead Road, Holloway, London, N19. EVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF HIS DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER
After his death £4 1s 8d was authorised to go to his widow on 28 March 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £11 was authorised to be paid to her, on 10 December 1919.
His personal effects were sent to her on 9 April 1919. They included his disc, letters, photos, diary, a religious book, purse, knife, spectacle case, wallet, an 18 ct gold ring n charm and a watch. Minnie acknolwdged receipt on 17 April 1919
His pension cards record his widow was his dependant, living at 27 Fairmead Road, Holloway, London, N19, but that was updated to 3 Benslow Road, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 13s 9d a week from 9 June 1919.
His British War Medal was received by his widow on 30 November 1920 and his Victory Medal on 2 January 1922 at that time she was at 27 Fairmead Road, Holloway, London, N19. She wrote amending her address to 3 Benslow Road, Hitchin, but the date is not readable.
*1 There is perhaps a possibility that he is on the Hitchin Town Memorial. There is a T W James listed, who it has not yet been possible to identify. Perhaps the ‘W’ should read ‘H’.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
