James Ernest Bly Redgrave

A Private with 6th Bn., James died on 9th of April 1918 at the age of 34. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 31 January 1884, a son of Edmund and Ann M. Redgrave. James was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 21 June 1884. In 1891 his family lived Sudbury Cottages, 1 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 his family were living at 12 Sandringham Road and James was a fish packer.

At some point James had served with the Suffolk Regiment. 

James was working as a fish packer (casemaker) and living at 12 Sandringham Road when he attested for the Army, at Bury St. Edmunds, on 7 April 1916. He joined The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), number G/10597, and was posted to the 12 (Reserve) Battalion on 11 April 1916. From 1 September 1916 the 12th Battalion became the 97th Training Reserve Battalion, and James was given the service number TR/10/32222.

James was transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment, number G/17502, and being posted to France on 23 September 1916. He joined an Infantry Base Depot before being posted to the 1st Battalion. On 5 October 1916 he joined the Battalion, in the field, and was posted to B Company.  

On 26 November 1916 James was wounded, but remained at duty. The 1st Battalion War Diary has the following entry for 26 November:

The enemy shelled Bethune. We retaliated by two intense bombardments of the enemy's front line, from 1 to 1.15 p.m. and from 2.15 to 2.30. Our trench mortars also fired about 1,000 rounds. The enemy's reply was weal except his trench mortars which were active. Weather fine. Casualties: Two other ranks wounded - shell shock.

 On 14 August 1917, near Arloux (sic), James received a bullet wound to his left thigh. This was termed a 'flesh wound.' He was evacuated to England viz S. S. Aberdonian on 22 August 1917. On 24 August 1917 he arrived at 3rd Scottish General Hospital, and posted to the strength of the Depot. On 6 September 1917 his wound had 'nearly healed' and he was transferred to an auxiliary hospital. James was granted furlough from 27 October 1917 to 5 November 1917. Then, from 6 November 1917, he served with the 3rd Battalion.  

Interestingly there is no mention in the War Diary of James, or anyone else, being wounded on 14 April. All that the War Diary records for that are are instructions for the Battalion to pack up and march to Villers au Bois. However, there are two sets of service papers for James which both clearly state where and when he was wounded.  

On 11 December 1917 James arrived at a Base Depot in France. On 13 December 1917 he was posted to 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment and joined the Battalion on 16 December 1917, joining A Company.  

On 6 April 1918 the 6th Battalion entered trenches south of Bouzincourt. The War Diary for 9 April has:

Enemy opened a heavy bombardment on our positions at 7 a.m. At 8 a.m. the fire grew more intense, it slackened at 8.30 a.m. and died away about 9 a.m. No infantry action followed. Our artillery replied vigorously. Much hostile aerial activity. Eight other ranks killed; one officer and fifteen other ranks wounded. 

James was killed in action on 9 April. His personnel effects, an identity disc, photos, wallet, and memorial card, were sent to his sister Susanna Draper.   

In 1920 Miss Christina Aberdena (Dena) Neeve, of 5 East Street, Lowestoft, wrote to the War Department to ask for a copy of James' will. 

James' brother, Frederick, was killed in action in 1917 whilst serving with the Suffolk Regiment. His sister Eleanor, and twin nieces, Lily Redgrave and Beatrice Harvey, were all killed during an air raid in 1941.