James Henry Nightingale

Rank 
Rifleman
Regiment 
King's Royal Rifle Corps
Date of death 
25 September 1915
Age of death 
31
Address 
18 Chase Road
South Woodford
Woodford
E18 2HZ
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

Born in 1883 at Walthamstow and Baptised Henry James Nightingale, but served as James Henry, he was the son of Henry (Coal Carman) and Eliza Nightingale. 1891: Living with his family at 9 Field Road, Walthamstow. 1901: A Milk Boy, living with his family at 12 Chase Road, South Woodford. 1905: He married Laura Rossiter. 1911: A Bakers Journeyman, living at 18 Chase Road, South Woodford. At the time of the Census his father was in the West Ham Workhouse Union Road Leytonstone, and he died there later that year. His mother worked as a Charwoman.

During the following years he and his wife would live at several different addresses in Chase Road, and have three sons.

Having served in the Army during the Boer War, he obtained his discharge by purchase from 3 Essex on 07-04-09. He re-enlisted on 24-08-14 at Finsbury Barracks.

On 25th September 1915 the Battalion launched an attack near Hulluch during the Battle of Loos. With mounting casualties and no prospect of enemy positions being taken, they were recalled to British lines in order to regroup. A colleague wrote telling Mrs Nightingale that her husband was seen to fall early in this advance. He was not recovered from the battlefield, and was presumed Killed in Action. During the retirement that day 18 year old Private George Peachment won the Victoria Cross.

On seeking advice from the Army because she had not heard from her husband for a time, initially Laura was incorrectly reassured that he was still serving with the Battalion.

Henry Nightingale was the third brother to be lost.

X/R: Lance Corporal Charles Nightingale (1914) Private Frederick John Nightingale (1915) Trooper Walter Henry Nightingale (1917) (Brothers)

Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Principal Sources:

Ancestry.com

FindmyPast.com

Service Record