Announcement

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 07:25 PM

Walter Henry Sidney Victor James came into this world on 25 MAY 1892 at 24 Townsend Street, Southwark, London, England. The proud parents were Harry James, a horse keeper and his wife Mary Catherine Margaret (nee Bannell).

The below is the Birth Certificate.

Interesting that the birth certificate says May 25 whereas his Attestation Paper for WW1 says May 22 (more on that later).
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Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Birth Certificate.jpg (128.9 KB, 69 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 07:39 PM

The 1889 Census records indicate the James family living at 53 Mowbray Buildings Southwark, London SE. This was the year before Walter's birth. He already has 2 older sisters - Minnie aged 2 and Florence aged 1. Mom and Dad are 31 and 27 years old respectively.

The members of the family are as follows:

Harry James age 31 horse keepers groom born Maidstone, Kent
Mary James, wife, age 27 tailoress born Dorking, Surrey
Minnie M James, dau. age 2 born Bermondsey, London
Florence E James, dau. age 1, born Bermondsey, London

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:01 PM

The 1901 Census of St. George the Martyr Southwark records indicate the James family living at 7 Goldsmith Place Southwark, London SE..

The following are listed in the household:

Harry James age 41 a general labourer born Maidstone, Kent
Mary James wife, age 38 born Dorking Surrey
Minnie James age 13 born London
Walter James age 8 born London
Harry James age 6 born London
Alfred James age 3 born London

Attached Files

Census 1 - 1901.jpg (175.7 KB, 68 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:09 PM

1901 Census Con't.

Attached Files

Census 2 - 1901.jpg (176.2 KB, 68 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:09 PM

During this time, Walter is recorded on a Labour Certificate dated 22 MAY 1904. It exempts Walter from School but cannot be employed in a Factory or Workshop if they have not reached the age of 13 years. Walter at this date was 12 years old.

Possibly to help his father in his line of work or to help his family in time of need ... because .................

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Labour Certificate - February 27, 1906.jpg (125.7 KB, 68 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:13 PM

Sometime in 1904 his father Harry James dies at the age of 44. His death is recorded at Camberwell.

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:20 PM

Shortly afterward there was a London School Board Letter from 05 MAR 1906 signed by the Headmaster.

"Walter James has attended this school for 14 years. He is an intelligent and well conducted boy and I believe him to be trustworthy"

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - London Schoolboard Document - March 05, 1906.jpg (64.9 KB, 66 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:22 PM

The next recorded document of the James family comes in the form of the 1911 Census at Lambeth. This time the following household members are present living at 39 Cornwall Road, Waterloo, SE.

Mary James age 47 a widow born Holmwood Dorking Surrey
Minnie James age 22 single, a kitchen maid born Bermondsey
Walter James age 18 single, a messenger born St Georges S.E.
Harry James age 16 single, an errand boy born St Saviours S.E.
Alfred James age 13, a schoolboy born St Georges S.E.

Cornwall Road is adjacent to Hatfield Street, the address given on Walter's Attestation Papers in 1914 (see later).

Attached Files

Census 1911.jpg (129.7 KB, 65 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:38 PM

Then in 1912 Walter decides to head off on a great adventure. In 1912 he is shown on board the SS Ionian for Toronto, arriving at Quebec on the 12 July. According to the Passenger List, Walter is age 20, single, can read and write, and his destination is Toronto and his present occupation is a messenger. Intended occupation in Canada, farming, part of Master Sedgwick’s party.

Attached Files

Passenger Liust 1912.jpg (100.0 KB, 65 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:54 PM

While in Canada World War 1 breaks out in August 1914. Feeling patriotic Walter joins the Canadian Royal Regiment. He gives his next of kin as his mother Mary James of 36 Hatfield Street, Blackfriars. London.

The earliest date on Walter’s Attestation papers is 4 September 1914 when he was medically examined at Valcartier, Quebec which is a Canadian Forces Base. He was then sent to the regiment in Bermuda.

Bermuda had been a British Colony since 1612 and had been a strategic naval port since before the Napoleonic wars and garrisoned by British troops. With the last of British troops leaving Halifax in the early 1900’s the Canadian Regiment took over the garrison duties at Bermuda.

Later in 1914 the Royal Canadian Regiment returned to Halifax and re-attested for overseas service. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

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Walter’s first regimental number is shown as 16154 this was then changed to 477458 presumably when he re-attested in Halifax. The date of his official enlistment is given on most of his papers as 15 October 1914 at Bermuda. On the second page of his will form it does show his place of attestation as Halifax N.S. The date on this form is 23 August 1915 which is the date he signed the form at Shornecliffe Camp in England.

Below are a few of the pages signed by Walter during his sign up.

First up, his Attestation Paper:

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Attestation Papers 1.jpg (94.4 KB, 65 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:55 PM

.

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Attestation Papers Front.jpg (115.1 KB, 64 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:55 PM

Walter is described as 5 foot 6 1/2 inches tall. Medium Complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair. His religion the common answer "Church of England"

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Attestation Papers Reverse.jpg (82.9 KB, 63 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 08:59 PM

Description at Enlistment:

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Description at Enlistment.jpg (69.2 KB, 62 views)

**Darrell** · 09-08-2012, 09:06 PM

Back in England Walter finally heads off to the slaughter fields of WW1 in France. Walter embarks for France on 2 November 1915 with the 3rd Canadian Division disembarking at Boulogne the same day.

Before he leaves, he makes out his will 13 OCT 1915 signed at Shornecliffe Camp, Kent, England. Then on 20 OCT 1915 he is promoted to be Acting Lance Corporal at Shornecliffe.

Attached Files

DCM-Trio Walter Henry James CMGC - Will.jpg (70.3 KB, 62 views)

Announcement

DCM WW1 Trio Group to Walter Henry James - Canadian MGC

DCM WW1 Trio Group to Walter Henry James - Canadian MGC

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