Born in 1883 at Hadley near Barnet, son of Samuel James (Assistant to Insurance Broker) and Jane Thomas. 1891: Visiting his cousin Frederick Seaman, a Bank Clerk, in Worcestershire. 1901: A Stockbrokers Clerk living with his older sister Jessie and siblings at 105 Clova Road, West Ham. 1911: A Stock Exchange Clerk still with his sister, but now at “Rathnew” Monkhams Lane, Woodford Green. In the autumn of 1917 he married Ethel Maud Sharpe, and their home was at “Evanston” in Churchfields.
He joined the Royal Fusiliers as a Private in October 1914, and went to France as a Lance-Corporal in November 1915. He served with a Trench Mortar Battery for some time, and on one occasion was recommended for an award for conspicuous gallantry. On being recommended for a Commission he came home and after being trained at a Cadet School returned to France in June 1917 joining the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers.
He was a Member of the Stock Exchange. This summary appears in the Stock Exchange Memorial Book:
He was Killed in Action on Kemmel Hill. In the absence of runners he had volunteered to carry a message forward from H.Q., where he was acting as Assistant Adjutant. He delivered the message but never returned.
His Colonel wrote to his widow: "Your husband died like a soldier. He gave the last ounce for the battalion. He was always perfectly cool and collected under fire, and always most energetic in all his duties.”
One of his men wrote: "He was a real fine man and as straight as a die. When he was in command of his platoon his men almost worshipped him. A real true British gentleman and one whom everyone misses." And another: "He undoubtedly was one of the most popular officers in the Battalion. He always inspired one with confidence by his great unconcern under the worst of conditions."
His remains were not recovered after the war.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Stock Exchange Memorial Book