Ref ID: 6465
Name
Frank James.
Description
Newspaper Photograph of Sergeant Frank James.
Life Story
Name: Frank James.
Service Number: L/4737.
Rank: Sergeant.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment.
Born: 1876, Sandhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.
Died: 8th November 1914.
Address: 15 Queensland Street, Belfast
.
Frank James, son of Henry and Emily James, had lived with his wife Letitia at 15 Queensland Street, Shankill, Belfast
.
The 1881 English Census has Frank living at 46 Charles Street, South Borough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with his mother, father, occupation, Labourer, and three brothers, Harry, 8 years, Edward, 7 years, and Frederick, 10 months
.
The Ireland Census 1901 and 1911 respectively have Letitia ling at 8 Queensland Street, Shankill, Belfast and 7 Heather Street, Shankill, Belfast
.
Frank married Letitia James, Nee Lucas, on the 27th June 1912 within Saint Silas Church, Belfast
.
Franks Short Service Attestation Papers show that he joined the Royal Sussex Regiment on the 23rd October 1894 in Chichester, having served 119 days within the Militia, for a period of 8 years.
He extended his Service to 12 years on the 27th of September 1901.
On the 29th December 1905 Frank further extended his Service to 21 years while based in Ambala, India.
Frank had been posted to India on the 8th September 1896 and stayed there until the 10th of January 1908 when he returned home.
On the 12th of August 1914 he was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France.
Frank was a Sergeant in 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment when he was Killed In Action in Ypres on the 8th November 1914 aged 38 years
.
A local newspaper states
.
BELFAST CASUALTIES.
Mrs James formerly of 15 Queensland Street, Belfast, has received notification that her husband, Sergeant Frank James, Royal Sussex Regiment, was killed in action at Ypres on 8th ult. Deceased had been promoted to the rank of sergeant for gallantry on the field
.
Franks Service Records show that he had been awarded three Good Conduct Badges, the first on the 23rd October 1896, the 2nd on the 23rd October 1900, and 3rd on the 23rd October 1906.
They show that he was employed as the Regiment Barber for 12 years and is described as thoroughly reliable with Very Good Character.
A memorandum in relation to giving Franks widow his Memorial Scroll and Plaque was sent from the Army Records Office to Mr Henry James in May 1919. Within it Mrs H James was asked for the details concerning the whereabouts of Franks wife Letitia.
Mr H James having explained the death of his sister in law some 2 years earlier, and that his father had actually lost two sons and received nothing in recognition for their service, then asked that the Memorial Scroll, Plaque and anything else be sent to his father.
He then replied in a letter stating that he had received Franks Medals.
.
Franks Soldiers Effects were left too his wife Letitia.
A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his widow as claimant also.
Franks wife Letitia sadly died on the 16th of September 1917 in the presence of her brother William Lucas.
.
Frank received the India Medal 1895, with two Clasps, the Long Term Service and Good Conduct Medal.
He received the Punjabi and Tirah 1897-98 Medal.
He also received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.
.
He is Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1914
Classification
Newspaper, , Photograph - Belfast Telegraph, Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, Larne Times. Ballymena Weekly Telegraph
