Military History

James is listed as dying of wounds on 22nd April 1918 in the Military Hospital in the Kassel Prisoner of War Camp. He had been captured on 22nd March 1918 at Vaux on the second day of the German Spring Offensive [Red Cross Record]. The 2nd/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 20th to 22nd March 1918 are transcribed below.

Germaine - 20.3.1918: Training as before. Specialist training and Recreational training contiued as before.

Germaine - 21.1.1918: 5am: Orders received for the Battalion, billeted at Germaine, to man battle stations. Battalion stood to.

6am: Orders received for Battalion to move to assembly position at Attilly Huts

7.15am: The battalion commenced the march to Attilly. Strength of Battn. and Officers as Annexum A & B [21 Officers & 556 Other Ranks]

9.15am: Battalion assembled, as Counter Attack Battalion at Attilly Huts. Heavy shelling and gas shelling encountered en route.

Approximate casualties: 2/Lt’s Tosland and Lovejoy wounded and 20 OR.

Shelling of area around Attilly Huts very heavy. Battalion disposed in various trenches.

Heavy mist, still.

11am: Battalion disposed W of St. Quentin Wood as is sketch.  Shelling fairly but few casualties. Instructions issued verbally by 182nd Inf. Bde. to Major Waterworth for counter attack if required.

5.00pm: Arranged with 182nd Inf. Bde for the move of the battalion to M.D.J. Dugouts to avoid casualties from shelling

8.00pm - Battalion in M.D.J.

11.30pm - Lieut Whitfield from 182nd Inf. Bde with verbal instructions re the battalion assembling for counter attack south of Holnon Wood. Explained that the operation was not possible.

Approximate casualties Officers 2 and O.R. 20.

M.J.D. Dugouts - 22.3.1918: 1.50am: Orders from 182nd Infantry Brigade. The Battalion to remain as at present situated.

4.30am: Orders from 182nd Infantry Brigade that in the event of enemy attack developing suddenly, counter attack by battalion to be launched at CO's decision.

7am: Posts pushed out for local protection, routes for counter attack assembly reconnoitred. Heavy mist.

9am: Verbal instructions received from 182nd Infantry Brigade to move Battalion to position of assembly in Holnon Wood.