Name
James Foxon
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/03/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
16277
Essex Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
A. 18. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
UK & Other Memorials
Guilden Morden War Memorial, Cambs, Not on the Shingay cum Wendy Memorials
Pre War
James Foxon was born in 1896 in Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire, the son of William and Sarah Foxon. He was one of 14 children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Flax Lane, Steeple Morden where his father was working as a shepherd. Although the 1911 Census records the family as remaining in Flax Lane, the postal address was given as Shingay, nr Royston, Herts. James was then aged 14 and working as a farm labourer.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Royston, Herts and served with the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment in France from 24 August 1915 and was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal.
James died of bronchitis at the General Hospsital in Rouen on 14 March 1916, aged 19, and is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £6 10s. There were no arrears of pay as his account was overdrawn by £1 2s 6d. His mother initially received a pension of three shillings a week, later increased to five shillings a week in 1919.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
