Name
James Walter Craft
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/10/1914
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10130
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
James was the son of Walter James and Alice Elizabeth (nee Pearce) Craft.
His parents married 23 April 1892 at St Paul’s with St Mary’s, Wooburn Green, Bucks. Alice died 1932 in Watford aged 62, and was buried 14 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Walter died 1959 in the Watford district aged 89.
James was born 15 March 1893 in Wooburn Green, and baptised 9 April 1893 at St Paul’s with St Mary’s, Wooburn Green. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 18 July 1904 to 15 March 1907, and resided in Watford.
In 1901 with their four children they were living New Road, Croxley Green, Walter James being a Pipe Fitter at Croxley Mill. In 1911 they were at 118 Harwoods Road, Watford with James described as “Worker Paper Mill”.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 4 October 1912 in Hertford: a labourer in paper factory.
The 2nd Battalion was in South Africa when war broke out and was immediately recalled to England. They joined 21st Brigade 7th Division, refitted for European warfare, and landed in France 7th October 1914. His qualifying date for overseas service was 6 October 1914.
They moved 40 miles south to meet the rest of the Army near Ypres and met the Germans for the first time in a brief skirmish on the 18th of October, before taking part in the First Battle of Ypres. About 2.30 am on the 31st of October the Battalion received orders to occupy a small fir wood some 250 yards in front of their line and held by the North Lancashire Regiment. The wood had been subject to heavy shelling the previous day and shelling recommenced at first light. It became evident that the enemy was advancing in force to the left of the wood and the Battalion was ordered to affect a fighting withdrawal and establish a new line towards the Menin- Ypres road. James appears to have been killed this day in a gallant attempt to stop a German advance from Zandvoorde and when losses were severe.
The new line was held until the Battalion was relieved on the 5th/6th of November.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, James’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
Acknowledgments
Mike Collins, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
