Name
John James
2 July 1878
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/03/1916
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
Deal/1899(S)
Royal Marines
R.M. Div. Train, Royal Naval Division.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
SE. CL. XIB.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
John was born on 2 July 1878 in Hitchin and christened on 9 June 1886. His parents were Daniel and Mary Ann James (née Bottoms) they married in 1878.
In 1881 the family were living at Foundry Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Daniel (24) and Mary (21), Daniel working as a bricklayer’s labourer and his wife a straw plaiter. Their children were: Albert John (2) and Kate (1).
By 1891 the family had moved to 37 Bedford Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Daniel (34) and Mary (31). Daniel was now a bricklayer. Their children were: John, now 13. Was working as a grocer’s errand boy, Kate (9), Samuel (8), Ruth (4) and George (2). It appears that Albert John was now just John.
In 1901 the family and moved but only to 30 Bedford Road, Hitchin. Both parents were present, Daniel still a bricklayer. Of the children John was absent, the others were present and had been joined by Era (8), Daniel (6), Arthur (4), Mary Ann (2) and Gladys Mary at just two months. John was found boarding at 11 Woodland Hill, Norwood, Lambeth, London, the home of the Stringer family, he was working as a coach wheeler.
John married Selina Ann Gatward (b 17/3/1865) in Hitchin 4 August 1902. Selina was born in Kelshall, Hertfordshire but in 1901 was living and working at 24 Mowbray Road, Upper Norwood, Croydon as a domestic cook. This address was about a mile from John’s address in 1901, so perhaps this is where they met.
By 1911 John (32) and Selina (46) were living at 3 Alexandra Cottages, Beardell Street, Upper Norwood S E. The census recorded they had been married for 3 years with no children and that John was still working as a coach wheeler for a coach builder. Henry Driscoll (19) was boarding with them.
He enlisted into the Royal Marines on 16 January 1915, when he was 36. He was described as 5’ 8” with blue eyes, brown hair and had a fresh complexion. It was noted that he had a hernia scar.
John’s mother died in the second quarter of 1915 shortly before his brother George married Catherine Elizabeth Kent (b 1/10/1884), in 1915.
Wartime Service
His Service Number was Deal/1899(S) and he was in the Royal Marines Training Division of the Royal Navy. Local newspaper reports about his brother George, suggest that he went to Gallipoli and died soon afterwards.
John was admitted to the 19th General Hospital – believed to be in Alexandra Egypt, on 8 December 1915 suffering from jaundice, then transferred to another hospital at the dept in Mustapha, Hadra on the 12th. This date is around the time of the British withdrawal from Gallipoli.
He was then admitted to the 2nd Field Ambulance RND, which may have become 149 Field on 21 February 1916 for observation for possible appendicitis. He was then placed on sick convoy on the 13th and to Hospital Ship, possibly the H.S. Rewa. This is probably why he was returned to England and died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Portland, Dorset
He was buried in Grave SE.CL.XIB in Hitchin Cemetery.
Additional Information
When he died Selina was officially notified at 3a Beardell Street, Upper Norwood, S.E.19, but in 1912 she was recorded back at 3 Alexandra Cottages, Beardell Street, Upper Norwood S E
His Naval pension records show that a pension of 15s a week was awarded to Selina from 28 September 1916. Although this card does not give an address another gives his widow’s address as PO 35 Westow Street, Horwood London S.E. and yet another as 3a Alexandra Cottages, Beardells Street, Lambeth
Probate was granted to his widow on 11 January 1917 and the value of his effects was £177 17s 8d.
John's headstone (not CWGC) reads:
In Loving Memory of
SERGEANT JOHN JAMES, WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY MARCH 25TH 1916 IN HIS 38TH YEAR
"SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS"
SERGEANT JOHN JAMES, WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY MARCH 25TH 1916 IN HIS 38TH YEAR
"SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS"
Later his wife who died 14 May 1933 was buried there too.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
