283838, Private, James William KING
Aged 20
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James William KING was born in Depden in Q4-1896 [Thingoe 4a:804], baptised on 13th December 1896 at St Mary's, Depden, (3rd of 4 sons and with 4 elder sisters) to George and
Kate KING (née KING) of The Potash, Depden.
1901 census...James [4] was at The Potash, Depden with his father George [40], horsekeeper on farm, born Wickhambrook; his mother Kate [37] born Wickhambrook; brothers Ernest B [17] labourer, born Wickhambrook; George [15] labourer born Hargrave; Charles M [6 months] born Depden, and his sisters Lily [13] and Daisy [13] born Gazeley; Susie [9] and Nellie [8] both born Depden. 1911 census...James [14] was a houseboy, living in 5 Ditton Lodge Cottages, Newmarket with his widowed mother (charwoman); brothers B J ( George), a farm labourer and Charles and his sister Daisy. His mother had entered 5 years for the marriage, but this seems to be an error, 5 years was the time elapsed since her husband died. All the children were still alive. His mother (remarried to Silas PARR in 1913) was living at 29 Granby Street at the time of William's death |
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He enlisted in Whitehall, giving his residence as Westminster.
He died on the 1st day of the Battle of Menin Road (part of 3rd Ypres). The tactic of massive artillery barrages (over 3 million shells were used) at irregular intervals had persuaded the enemy that a barrage did not necessarily mean an immediate attack and they even moved some troops and guns away from the area. The whole concept was now that troops would only advance 1,000 yards behind the barrage then drop back 200 yards and hold while the creeping barrage softened up the next 1,000 yards and hopefully wipe out any counter attack. It was successful, in effect the artillery won the ground, the infantry went in to hold it each time. Of the 44 of James' battalion killed that day, only one has an identified grave (in Tyne Cot), the rest are named on the Menin Gate. |
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