Name
James Brazier
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9253
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial
Pre War
James was born 1889 in Luton District to George Brazier, a farm labourer, and Sarah Ellen (nee Field). George had married his first wife Elizabeth (nee Ramsden) in 1859 and they had Mary Anne (born 1860), George (born 1862) Harry (born 1865), Alfred (born 1871). The family lived in Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead. Following the death of his first wife and still living in Gustard Wood the Family consisted of George, Mary Anne, Harry, Alfred and Elizabeth (born 1887).
On the 1891 Census George and his second wife Sarah (nee Field, married in 1882) were living at Bride Hill Farm Cottages, Marford with Maud (born 1885), Victor (born 1886), Ethel (born 1888), Francis (born 1889, probably James), Bertie (born 1891). On the 1901 Census still at Bride Hall Farm George was now a farm foreman and there had been the addition of William (born 1892) to the family.
Also on the 1911 James ‘s parents, George and Sarah were living at Bull Yard, Wheathampstead with his sister Maud and her husband Edward Frederick Thrale.
James enlisted on 30 Dec 1907 as Private 9253 in the Bedfordshire Regiment and was posted to 2nd Battalion who served in Gibraltar from 1907, Bermuda from 1909 and South Africa 1912.
Wartime Service
No Service record could be found for James. If his terms of Service were for 7 years plus 5 on Reserve, he would still be on active service in South Africa as the great War began.
James with the 2nd Battalion returned to UK from Roberts Height, Pretoria on 19 Sep 1914 to form part of 7th Division and after refitting for European Conditions were landed at Zeebrugge on 6 Oct 1914. They marched to join the B. E. F. at Ypres on 15 Oct 1914 and were positioned at Zillebeeke. The battalion were engaged by the Germans and spent the next few days attempting to stem the German Advance on Ypres.
On 31 Oct during heavy shelling the order to retire was given. Losses that day were not noted in the Battalion War Diary but strength noted to be about 300-400 other Ranks. James was among the casualties that day. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 was paid to his Mother. His arrears of £8 12s 1d was shared equally between his mother Sarah, Brothers Victor, William, Harry, Alfred and sisters Maud, Ethel and Mary Anne. Brother William served in Royal Navy from May 1912 to Jan 1914 being invalided out. Victor served as Private 6596 in Northamptonshire Regt from May 1902 but discharged in Oct 1902.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
