Military History

James is listed as being killed in action on 1 Sep 1918. The battalion war diary states that they were in the front line at Gory Trench just NE of Vis-en-Artois where they had gathered prior to launching an attack on german lines at Drocourt-Quéant on the following day. However reference is made to shellfire and a quiet night, on this day the casualties are listed as 2 killed and four wounded. We now know that the two men killed were James and Private Henry Cockerell of Long Itchington. A newspaper report in the Leamington Spa Courier on 20 Sep 1918 states that James was killed instantaneously by an exploding shell near Vis-en-Artois.

The battalion war diary entry for the 1st Sept 1918 is transcribed in full below:-

Trenches - 1918 1st Sept: Fine day. Our artillery of all calibres are very active on the Drocourt-Queant Line, especially wire cutting. Orders are received at midday from Brigade that the 10th British Brigade us being at night by the 10th Canadian Brigade, but the Battalion itself will not be retiring but merely move back on receipt of orders.

The Commonding Officer is called to a conference at Brigade at midday and the forthcoming attack on the Drocourt-Queant Line is gone into. This is explained to all officers and N.C.O's.

The 10th Brigade is in Divisional Reserve. The battalion assembles at night in Gory Trench, No 1 Composite Company rejoining about 3am after being attached to the 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regt. Battalion Headquarters moves to O.17.a.3.4. Active night.

Battalion Detailed Statement of Casualties: 1st Sept Killed Officers 0 & O.R. 2; Wounded Officers 0 and O.R. 4.