Military History

James is listed as being killed in action on 27 Apr 1917, the war diary, transcribed below, tells us that he was one of 37 men who were killed in the Battalions attack on Greenland Hill.

28.4.1917 - 4.20am: Battn in position to attack Greenland hill:- Front line D. Coy right, B Coy left in Clasp Tr from I.7.a.7.3 – I.7.a.7.0 in touch with the 8^th East Lancs on right and 4th Middlesex on left. Second line A Coy right, C Coy left in jumping I.7.a.3.3-I.7.a.4.0. Bttn HQ at H.12.b.9.3.

Battn advanced, after only about 100 yards the right front Coy (D Coy) commenced to make a left incline with the object of filling a gap which had occurred between us on the 63^rd Bde on our left. B Coy conformed to this movement. As both the officers with the leading Coys became casualties immediately after a few men lost direction and became mixed up with the 111^th Bde. The remainder advanced but owing to the fact that all the officers and senior NCO's, with the exception of two sergeants were either killed or wounded the battalion became very scattered. Detached parties with Lewis guns occupied a general line 3 to 400 yards east of Cuba Tr overlapping 63^rd Bde on the left and the reminder of this Bde (112^th) on the right.

Bttn reminded in this position until the brigade was relieved by 10^th Argyl & Sutherland Hightlanders just before Daybreak on the 29^th.