James Read

A Private with 2nd Battalion, James died on 16th of December 1915 at the age of 33.

James was born at All Saints’, South Elmham, Suffolk, in late 1881, a son of William and Mary Ann Read. His birth was registered in the Wangford district of Suffolk.

Note that when James enlisted in the Militia he stated that he was born at Rumburgh, near Halesworth, and later, when he enlisted in the regular army, he stated that he was born at Lowestoft.  

James’ mother died in 1884 and, in 1886, his father married Mahala Potter, sister of George Potter. 

In 1891 the family lived at Long Lane, Heveningham, Suffolk. By 1900 they were living at Kirkley Run, Lowestoft, and in 1901 at Carlton Road, Pakefield.

James was working as a labourer for Mr. Westmore, at Lowestoft, when he enlisted in the 4th (Militia) Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Great Yarmouth, on 13 February 1900. His service number was 4302. 

James was embodied for full time service from 1 May 1900 to 17 July 1901. He was discharged, time expired, on 11 February 1906.

Between 1904-1906 James worked as a net ropeman and net stower for Mr. Gilby at London Road, Lowestoft. At some point, possibly 1907-1909, he was a farm worker for Mr. William Cook, of Elm Tree Farm, Carlton Colville. 

James was working as a carter when he attested for the Norfolk Regiment, at Great Yarmouth, on 4 March 1909, to serve seven years with the Colours and five with the Reserve. In 1911 James was serving with the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment at Belgaum, India. 

James was in India, with the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, when the First World War began. The Battalion went straight to Mesopotamia and James arrived there, with the rest of the Battalion, on 15 November 1914. James served with A Company.  

James would have been present at the Battle of Shaiba in April 1915. On 21 November 1915 the 2nd Battalion were in a night march moving into position ready for an attack at Ctesiphon at dawn on 22 November 1915. The Battalion suffered 267 casualties during the Battle of Ctesiphon, around half their fighting strength.  

On 29 November 1915 the British, including the 2nd Norfolks, were ordered to retreat to Kut-al-Amarah. The forced march lasted 46 hours and they managed to reach Kut on 3 December 1915. From 7 December the British and Indian Army garrison was besieged by the Turkish Army. Less than 90 of the Norfolks men survived the siege at Kut.

James was killed in action at Kut-al-Amarah on 16 December 1915. 

James’ uncle, George Potter, served with the Royal Field Artillery and died of wounds in 1915.