No. G/11983, Private, James Thomas NUTTALL
Aged 26
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James Thomas Nuttall was born in Bacup in 1891(Haslingden Q1-1891 8E:92), son of Joseph and Sarah Ann NUTTALL (nee AIREY).
1891 census... Aged 3 months, he was at 157 Plantation Street, Newchurch, Bacup, Lancashire with his father Joseph NUTTALL [21] a stone quarryman born in Bacup and his mother Sarah Ann [20] born in Freckenham. 1901 census... Aged 10, James T NUTTALL was at Mortimers Lane, Freckenham with his cousin John ALLEN [55] born Sawtry. His cousin's wife, Sarah A was born in Freckenham. His parents were at 19 Rockliffe Square, Bacup with his sister Elizabeth Ellen [8] and Beatrice [5] both born in Bacup and Jospeh's niece Elsie NEALE [1] born Cloghfolk, Lancs. 1911 census... Aged 20, a farm labourer, he was still with his cousins John Thomas and Sarah Ann ALLEN in Freckenham. Robert and Ann RADFORD, in Freckenham. His parents were still at Rockliffe Square, Bacup with his sister Elizabeth and Beatrice, and brother Joseph L [3] and Harold [1] both born in Bacup. CWGC have his father as living at 13 Ross Cottages, Bacup, Lancs. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. The battalion were at St Julian, Ypres, towards Poelcappelle. He lost his life during the 3rd Ypres, at the Battle for Pilckem Ridge, which is between Ypres and Langemarck. Following a huge allied bombardment from the 16th to 31st July (with over 4 million shells) the battle began. The attack made use of the new (and relatively un-tested Fifth Army). The orders to advance were given and the attack moved off at 3:50am on the 31st July 1917 in heavy rain. The rain was to play a major role in the campaign, as what lay ahead was the wettest Aug to Nov period on record). The first day saw most objectives taken, however at a cost, with 15,000 casualties, rising to 31,850 by the 2nd August, all for a gain of less than 2 miles. Due to the heavy shelling and the rain, the ground conditions were appalling, men and mules sometimes simply disappearing in the mud. The Royal Sussex had done well on the 31st July, taking most of St Julien, but at the cost of 120 lives from the 3 battalions. On the 2nd, not to be superstitious, of the 26 Royal Sussex killed, the 13th Sussex lost 13, 6 have unknown graves. James was found near the centre of Sint Juliaan, identified by 2 title, jack-knife, card and photos, and re-interred in New Irish farm cemetery on 5th November 1919 |
James was found here
photo:- Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details