Name
James Rance
9 Oct 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
241786
Suffolk Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Tring memorials, Book of Remembrance, Luton, Beds.
Pre War
James Rance was born in Tring on 9 Oct 1883 (baptised 22 Jan 1890 in Tring) to James Rance, blacksmith, and Maria (nee Gower).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Walter (born 1876), Ada (born 1878), James, Ernest (born 1885), and Lily (born 1886) were living at 6, Western Road, Tring. There were older sisters: Mary Ann (born 1868) and Bessie (born 1871).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, James, (whitesmith’s assistant ), Ernest (tailor’s apprentice), Ada and Lily (domestic servants) were living at Longfield Road, Tring.
James married Charlotte Hedges on 6 Jun 1908.
On the 1911 Census James and Charlotte were living at 67, Boyle Street, Luton together with Charlotte’s parents Joseph & Priscilla Hedges and their daughter Sarah Hedges.
Wartime Service
James was enlisted as a Territorial in the 1st / 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment as Private 32174 in Jun 1915. No Service Record was found for him.
He probably went to France in late 1916/early 1917 to join 7th (Service) Battalion, part of 35 Brigade, 12 (Eastern) Division, who had been in France since May 1915. James was renumbered as 241786 in the 1917 Territorial renumbering. He probably took part in the Arras Offensive particularly the 1st Battle of the Scarpe (9-14 Apr 1917). James was killed in action on 28 Apr 1917 during a period between major engagements. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 10s and arrears of £2 2s 3d was paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
