Name
Herbert Arthur James
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/02/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private/Lance Corporal
14098
Dorset Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 76.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Herbert William and Edith Mary (nee MILLAR) JAMES of Watford.
His parents married 1896 in the West Ham, Essex, district. Herbert died 13 November 1941 in Bristol aged 66; Edith died 23 February 1955 in St Alban’s, Herts, aged 77.
Herbert was born 29 April 1897 in Upton Park, Essex, and baptised 9 June 1907 at All Saints, King’s Langley, Herts. He attended Watford Grammar School from April 1907 to December 1908, and resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 13 he is possibly a student in Haywards Heath, Surrey.
Wartime Service
He enlisted August 1914 in Weymouth, Dorset; was wounded 1 July 1916 on the Somme, and again on 16 November at Beaumont-Hamel.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action 22 February 1918.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“JAMES, HERBERT ARTHUR. School period: April, 1907, to December, 1908. Lance-Corporal, 5th Dorset Regiment. Enlisted August, 1914; wounded, 1st July, 1916, on the Somme and again on November 16th at Beaumont Hamel; killed in action, 22nd February, 1918.”
There is a brief article about Herbert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 10 April 1915; plus another article and a Death announcement in the issue dated 9 March 1918.
Unfortunately, Herbert’s 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)
