Private John James
| Date of Birth | c.1895 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 23 |
| Date of Death | 2nd August 1918 |
| Service Number | G/17554 |
| Military Service | East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion |
| Merton Address | 35 Queens Road |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
John James was the son of Gypsy travellers Arthur (also known as Alfred) James and Ocean Draper. He was born in 1895 and baptised on 9th February 1896 at St. Augustine, South Croydon. The baptism record listed his father as a Hawker and the family abode as a van.
In the census of 1901 John aged six was living with his parents listed as Alfred and Ocean and four other older siblings Mary Ann aged 15, Phoebe 13, Henry 11 and William (Bill) aged 8. The family were residing in tents and Caravans off Wards Lane Ilford, Essex and their father worked as a licensed pedler. Another child named Veverly was born soon after the census was taken.
By 1911 the family had settled at number 35 Queens Road in Mitcham and John’s father Alfred now worked as a Greengrocer. Of eight children born to them two had died. Their six children were Mary Ann, Phoebe, Henry, William (Bill), John 16 and Veverly aged 10.
John was aged 19 when war broke out. He was most likely illiterate having spent his earlier life travelling round Surrey, Essex and Kent. He possibly worked as a flower seller along with an uncle and cousin who lived close by at number 18 Queens Road.
John and his older brother William both enlisted in Kingston upon Thames for the East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion.
John married Famey Scott in the early part of 1918 the marriage was registered in Croydon. Famey was also part of the travelling community and her father Frederick Scott worked as a Flower Hawker.
In the 1911 census the Scott family were residing in a caravan in Nelson Grove Road.
John was killed in action on 2nd August 1918 in France and buried at Lijssenthoek Military cemetery, west Vlaanderen in Belgium. He is also commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial along with his brother William who was killed on 30th June 1916.
John’s widow Famey married an Edward Cooper (also from the travelling community) on 28th July 1919 at St. Augustine, Belverdere, Kent. Famey and Edward were listed in 1933 as living in Western Road, Mitcham at Searle’s Yard caravans.