Name
James Carpenter
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/04/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31474
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
144th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VILLERS-FAUCON COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Row D, Grave 61.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of James and Martha Ann (nee MEAD) CARPENTER of Watford; husband of Elizabeth Sarah FEATHERSTONE (formerly CARPENTER, nee FARMAN) of Sleaford, Lincs.
His parents married 31 October 1885 at St James’, Bushey, Herts. James died 1944 in Watford aged 84, and was buried 12 August in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Martha died 1947 in Watford aged 82, and was buried 22 February, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
James was born 13 November 1891 in Watford, and baptised 8 January 1892 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 2 March 1903 to 3 November 1905. He married 25 November 1915 at St Michael’s, Watford. Elizabeth remarried 1918 in the Sleaford district to John C FEATHERSTONE and died 1951 in the Watford district aged 57.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings. On the 1911 Census, a general labourer in an ice factory aged 19, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 23622 Bedfordshire Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about and two Death announcements for James in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 21 April 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 13 April 1918 and 12 April 1919.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
Unfortunately, James’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
