Name
James Mumford
1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
7092
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
"B" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France to the fallen.
UK & Other Memorials
Kimpton Village Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church, Kimpton, Peters Green Baptist Chapel, Peters Green, St Thomas' Church Memorial, Perry Green
Pre War
James Mumford was born in 1883, in Someries, East Hyde, Beds, son of William Mumford a Shepherd and Ephraim Mumford (nee Wilmot), one of 6 children.
He was Baptised with his elder brother Joseph on 28 September 1884, in the Parish Church, Kimpton, Herts.
1891 Census records James aged 8, at school, living with his parents brothers Ephraim (13), Joseph (10), and sister Louisa (1) at, Ayks End Cottages, Nomans Land, Wheathampstead.
By 1901 the family had moved to Tewin, Herts, where his father was employed as a Shepherd. James was working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, brothers Joseph, William, and sister Louisa at, Hern’s Cottage, Tewin. The family had three visitors staying on the night of the Census.
James married Emily Helen Hawkins (nee Cole) a widow, on 28 July 1909, at Holy Trinity Church, Finchley, London/Middlesex. They went on to have three children, James (B 1910), Alfred (B 1912) and Dorothy (B 1914).
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war James traveled to the County Town of Hertford to enlisted. Posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 7092.
James arrived in France on 30th August 1914, with “B” Company, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed 7 weeks later on Tuesday 22nd October 1914.
Extract from the Battalion War Diary; 19th Oct 1914. "Quiet. “B” Company sent to join Cheshire Regiment on our left near VIOLAINES. Subsequently at dawn on 22nd inst. Were in support close to Cheshire front trenches when the later were rushed by Germans, who came through on to “B” company."
Two Officers were killed, and 40 Other Ranks killed, Wounded or Missing. James being one of them. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, to the fallen in France.
Additional Information
His effects of £3-14s-11d, Pay Owing and £2-3s-4d, War Gratuity went to his widow Emily.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Adrian Pitts
