Sapper 81875, 202nd Field Company Royal Engineers.
Died of wounds 9th July 1916, age 21.
Buried in Peronne Road Cemetery Maricourt.
Former student of science.
James as born in 1895 to Edwin and Eliza Howard, of Stoneridge, Disley, the second of three sons. He was an architect’s Pupil with Bramold and Smith, 4 Cannon Street, Manchester, and completed his articles with the firm in December 1914. He registered as an evening student on science courses for the academic session 1911-12 and was living in Marple at the time.
James enlisted in the Royal Engineers in March 1915. On 9th July his unit were digging an assembly trench in preparation for an infantry attack. James was acting as a messenger that day and was mortally wounded by a shell while on a delivery. He was taken to a nearby dressing station, but died of his injuries.