Private William (Bill) James
| Date of Birth | c.1893 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 23 |
| Date of Death | 30th June 1916 |
| Service Number | G/17609 |
| Military Service | East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion |
| Merton Address | 35 Queens Road |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
William James was the son of Gypsy travellers Arthur (also known as Alfred) James and Ocean Draper. He was born in 1893 and baptised on 15th July 1894 at St. Mary Church Sunbury on Thames.
In the census of 1901 William aged eight was living with his parents Alfred and Ocean and four other siblings Mary Ann aged 15, Phoebe 13, Henry 11 and John aged 6. The family were residing in tents and caravans off Wards Lane, Ilford, Essex and their father was listed 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 Williams’s father Alfred now worked as a Greengrocer. Of their eight children two had died. Their children were Mary Ann, Phoebe, Henry, William (Bill) aged 18, John and Veverly aged 10.
William was most likely to have been illiterate, having spent his earlier life travelling around Surrey, Essex and Kent. He possibly worked as a flower seller along with his brother John and an uncle and cousin who lived close by at number 18 Queens Road.
William was aged 21 when war broke out. He and his brother John both enlisted in Kingston upon Thames for the East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion.
William was killed in action on 30th June 1916 aged 23. William was buried in London Rifle Brigade cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium and is commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial, along with his brother John who was killed on 2nd August 1918.