James Edmonds

A Private with the 12th Battalion, James died on 7th of June 1917 at the age of 28.

James was born at Lowestoft on 23 August 1888, a son of James and Martha Ellen Edmonds. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 3 March 1889. In 1891 his family lived at 13 Wollaston Road, and this was still their home in 1901. By 1911 his parents were living at 44 Bevan Street.

On 20 October 1910 James married Blanche Mary Crisp at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. James was a warehouseman living at 44 Bevan Street and Blanche lived at 40 Melbourne Road. By 1915 they were living at 16 Albany Road, and James was a carman. Later Blanche lived at 107 Saint Margaret’s Road. 

James attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 29 November 1915. He was called up on 31 May 1916 and joined the Middlesex Regiment, service number 29671. James arrived in France on 27 September 1916 and was posted to the 12th Battalion.

On 11 October 1916 he was transferred to the East Surrey Regiment, service number 25388, and posted to the 12th Battalion, joining them, in the field, on 13 October. By May 1916 he was serving with 6 Platoon B Company.  

On 7 June 1917 the 12th Battalion took part in the assault on Dammstrasse, part of the Battle of Messines Ridge. As the battalion moved up they were subjected to German artillery fire that caused casualties in D Company. By 1.30 a.m. the battalion was in position, awaiting zero hour. The objective of 41 Division, including the 12th Battalion, was Dammstrasse and the woods and positions beyond. At 3.10 a.m. the mine at St. Eloi was exploded and at the same time the British barrage began. Under cover of the barrage the first wave of the battalion moved forward and by 5 a.m. every position on the Dammstrasse had been taken and a number of prisoners captured. There was little resistance, other than at White Chateau. By 6 a.m. men of the battalion were on Dammstrasse in readiness for the next assault. Around 6.50 a.m. they moved forwards in 50 yard ‘leaps’ and they began clearing the dugouts and trenches in Pheasant Wood and Denys Wood meeting light resistance and taking many prisoners. The men then moved forward to dig themselves in near the enemy’s line at Obscure Support, and at this point the British barrage appeared to drop back causing many casualties. By 8.30 a.m. the men were consolidating the line. The enemy continued intermittent shelling, which caused further casualties. At 3.10 p.m. the units of 24 Division passed through the battalion’s positions to move on to the next objective. In the assault the battalion captured 268 prisoners.

The battalion’s casualties were:
Officers: six wounds
Other ranks: 23 killed; 7 died of wounds; 153 wounded; 6 missing

James was reported missing on 7 June. His body was found in an unmarked grave at map reference 28.O.9.A.9.2. and he was identified by an identity disc. In 1919 he was reburied at Voormezeele. 

James’ brother Herbert served with the Machine Gun Corps and died in 1918.