Military History

James is listed as being killed in action on 4 Apr 1918. The 10th Hussar's war diary for the period 4th April to 5am on the 6th April is transcribed, in full, below.

Fouilloy – 4^th April 1918: The enemy attacked the 14^th Division at 8am and the Regt moved up in support towards Hamel. The Infantry were rapidly retiring and the Regiment was soon holding a line on the high ground W of Hamel. A Squadron under Lt Murland was pushed out to sieze the E end of Bois-de-Hamel but came under very heavy rifle fire in the wood and lost about 50 horses and were forced to fall back to the high ground W of the Bois-de-Vaire. The Regiment held this position all day

The 15^th Australian Brigade were on our left up to the Somme and took over the whole of our line by nightfall. The 7^th Dragoon Guards were sent up to reinforce the 10^th Hussars about midday.

Lt. Col H.A. Tomlinson being wounded, Lt. Col Sparrow, 7^th Dragoon Guards, was in command of the sector during the afternoon. Lieuts Ednam, Kelleway & Field were wounded, 4 OR’s killed, 18 OR’s wounded and 4 OR’s missing.

At 10pm orders were received for the Regiment to rejoin the Brigade and a form a dismounted party to hold the line opposite the SW end of Bois-de-Vaire. The Regt under Captain Gosling moved back to the horses which were about 1 mile E of Fouilloy and rode round to Brigade HQ about ½ mile N of Villers Bretonneux. Captain Gosling remained in Command of dismounted party with Lieuts Scott, Drake, Locknett & Robinson & took over the line on left of 3^rd Dragoon Guards

Villers Bretonneux  - 5^th April 1918: About 3am on 5^th, the left in touch with the Australians W of Bois-de-Vaire. Led horses returned to Bivouac near Blangy Tronville. The dismounted Brigade was heavily shelled during the 5^th but no organised attack developed. Casualties slight, a few men being buried by shell fire. The Brigade was relieved by Australians on the evening of the 5^th and returned to bivouac near Blangy Tronville arriving around 5am on the 6^th.