Name
James John Arthur Finch (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
57575
Royal Field Artillery
51st Bty. 39th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY
IV. C. 9.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Not on the Potters Bar memorials
Pre War
James John Arthur was born in Potters Bar in 1890, the eldest son of Robert Alfred Finch, a house painter, Margaret (nee Ewington).
On the 1911 Census James was recorded at Cookham being a Gunner 57575 in the Royal Field Artillery 39 Brigade.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war James’ unit, 1 Division Ammunition Column, together with 51 Battery RFA was ordered to France on 16 Aug 1914.
He had been promoted to Bombardier, and later Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal for holding a position at Nieuport all day under fire when his Battery Sergeant Major was wounded.
James was killed in action on 28 Sep 1917.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs Margaret Finch, "Essendene" Shakespeare Rd., Harpenden, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: “THY WILL BE DONE”. War Gratuity of £21 and arrears of £10 8s 4d paid to mother
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)