Name
James Kilby Lumm
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/09/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18782
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
R. III. H. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Bushey Town Memorial, St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey
Pre War
Born in Bushey and baptised at St Mary’s, Watford on 6 July 1881, James Kilby Lumm was a member of an established Bushey family. He was the eldest of three children born to James (Snr.) and Susannah Cecilia (nee Kilby) Lumm. They were married on 26 August 1878 at St Thomas, Stepney in Tower Hamlets and, at the time of their marriage, were living at 26 White House Street in Tower Hamlets.
At the time of the 1901 Census, James was living with his parents and two brothers, John and George, in School Lane, Bushey. His father was a labourer and James was a plasterer’s apprentice. The ages for the family are given as 44 and 47 for James (Snr.) and Susannah (Susan on the Census form) and 19, 12 and 8 for James, John and George respectively. All of the family members have a birthplace of Bushey.
James married Alice Agnes Baker in 1910 and, by 1911, they were living at 52 High Street, Bushey. James gave his occupation as a plasterer and Alice gave hers as a ‘tobacconist, etc.’ working on her own account. Their ages are given as 29 and 28 respectively and Alice’s birthplace is recorded as Bethnal Green. They later moved to 19, Park Road, Bushey.
Wartime Service
James enlisted in Bedford, serving as Private 18782 with the 4th Battalion in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He served on the Western Front and died of wounds, aged 37, on 11 September 1918. He was buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. His death was recorded in the St James’ Parish Magazine and he is commemorated on the Bushey Memorial and at St James’ Parish Church.
The Register of Soldier’s Effects names Alice as the sole beneficiary. His pension record card gives the date of birth for Alice as 22 April 1882 and includes three children; James Sydney (b. 6/4/11), Florence Susan (b. 27/2/13) and George Rod (b. 24/12/14). It also records a grant of £8 awarded 20 September 1918 and a pension of 29s/7p with effect from 17 March 1919.
The National Roll of the Great War (Section V, Luton) includes the following details:
"Lumm, J. R., Private, 4th Bedfordshire Regiment. Volunteering in January 1915, he completed his training and was engaged with his unit on important duties at various stations until sent overseas in July of the following year. He served on the Western Front in several sectors and fought in many battles, including those of the Somme, Ypres, Arras and Cambrai, and was wounded on 3rd September 1918. He died from the effects of his wounds eight days later, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals. 19, Park Road, Bushey."
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
