James William Beavers

A Private with the 6th Battalion, James died on 14 February 1917 at the age of 40.

James was born at Lowestoft on 10 October 1877, a son of James William and Jane Hannah Beavers (note his mother’s name is also given as Jane Eliza on some records). In 1881 his family lived at 31 East Street, Lowestoft.  

He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 4 November 1877.

James married Margaret Jane Johnson at Saint Mary’s Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool, on 10 April 1898. At that time he was a labourer living at Wrayburn Street.  

In 1901 James and Margaret were living with James’ parents at 38 Wrayburn Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, and James worked as a dock labourer. In 1911 James was living at 47 Wilfer Street, Edge Hill, and working as a capstan driver. The 1911 Census shows that he was living with Fanny ‘Beavers’ and his two children. In fact this was Fanny Williams, James’ ‘unmarried wife’.

James volunteered and joined the Army at Liverpool on 29 August 1914. He stated that he was 30 years old. James joined the South Lancashire Regiment, with service number 11787. On 22 September 1915 he was posted to the 6th Battalion in Gallipoli. One of the officers of the battalion was Captain Clement Attlee who later became Prime-Minister. On 16 February 1916 the 6th Battalion went to Egypt and later served in Mesopotamia. 

On 5 April 1916 James received a gun-shot wound to his right leg and was admitted to the 23rd Stationary Hospital. He rejoined the 6th Battalion on 27 September 1916. 

James was killed in action on 14 February 1917. His personal possessions, three photos and two letters, were sent to his mother. 

James’ father died in 1917 and by March 1919 James’ mother was living at 1 Strand Terrace, Whapload Road, Lowestoft.  

Fanny lived at 6 Ash Street, Wavertree, Liverpool.

James’ brother Frederick Herbert served with the East Lancashire Regiment and was killed in action on 17 February 1915.

James' name appears on the war memorial at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft.