ANDREWS James William

James William Andrews, occupation: soldier, resident Astwood Farm, North Claines, died in the Military Hospital, Tidworth.  He was buried in consecrated ground in Astwood Cemetery on 4th October 1917, aged 18½ years.  The ceremony was performed by the Reverend W.J. Worster.

Source for additional information: Register of burials in Astwood Cemetery, entry no 39735, available on microfilm at Worcestershire Archives.

James Andrews attended Worcester Royal Grammar School from 1909 to 1913. Whilst he was a cadet in the Cavalry Reserve at Tidworth, he received injuries from which he subsequently died.

Source for additional information: In Dedication to a Future World By Mark Rogers 1999

James William Andrews, one of three children, was born on 20th January 1899 at Astwood Farm, Worcester to Thomas and Clara.  He was educated at Worcester Grammar School from 1909 to early 1913 before he arrived at Ellesmere in May 1913, ready to take up his place in the ‘Heywood’ dormitory and ‘Remove’ classroom.  There were 193 pupils on the school roll.  Even though he was at the school for only just over two years, he played an active part both on and off the sports field.  He played cricket and rugby for his dormitory, ending up as Captain in the latter and also played in school teams winning his Full Colours in the 1st XI cricket team despite the resume on his cricketing career reading “A very free bat but much too reckless. Poor field”. (Reference 1)

On more academic matters, he passed his Oxford Local exams, was an active member of the Debating Society and also contributed to the ‘Ellesmerian’.  He was a member of the Cadet Corps throughout his time at the college and his good character was recognised by his appointment to Prefect.  He left Ellesmere in December 1915 and then took up a position as a bank clerk until he signed his attestation papers the day before his 18th birthday.  We are fortunate in being able to view these documents as so few survive after the majority were destroyed by bombing during WW2. (Reference 2)

From these records we can see that he was posted to the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps as a Private (11431), ‘C’ Company, on 4th June 1917.  The Inns of Court OTC, based on Berkhamstead Common and known by their nickname “The Devil’s Own”, was treated as a “specialist officer training cadre” and during the war in excess of 14,000 men passed through the four month long training programme and over 11,000 of them obtained commissions.  Two thousand one hundred and forty seven of those who entered the Corps paid the ultimate price during the war. (Reference 3)

James was with a mounted detachment of the 5th Cavalry Reserve in September 1917 at Tidworth Camp when he met with an unfortunate accident which proved fatal.  When the accident occurred he was leading two horses.  One of them, before he was aware, bit the one in front which lashed out and kicked him.  He underwent a serious operation the following day but peritonitis had set in and he passed away the next day at 11.30 (September 29th 1917).  He was admired by all his comrades in the army and many letters were written by them to Mrs Andrews.  His Captain wrote: “Your son laid down his life as much as if he had fallen in France, and whatever yearnings he may leave behind, he at least is supremely and eternally happy.”  Another friend wrote: “He was admired for the matter of course way in which he knelt to pray, and went to Communion every Sunday, although it often meant missing breakfast after being on duty all night”. He was about to enter an Officer Cadet Battalion when the accident occurred. (Reference 4)

1. Headmaster’s Register, Ellesmere College. Ellesmerian. June 1913,p.164 & 165 / Vol.170,p.44 / Vol.172,p.105 / Vol.175,p.176 / April 1916,p.170 / December 1913,p.210 / November 1914,p.67+ / Vol.174,p.138,141 – 145 /December 1915,p138 / April 1916,p.173

2. www.ancestry.co.uk – British Army WW1 Service Records, 1914 – 1920. Ellesmerian. December 1915,p.182 / Vol.170,p.34 / July 1915 / December 1915,p.157 & 158 / Vol.174,p.138 / Vol.173,p.131 / Vol.174,p.158

3. “The Inns of Court Officers Training Corps during the Great war” FHL Etherington, p.76.

4. Ellesmere College, Roll of Honour,p.6

Other sources:
Ellesmerian. April 1916,p.182/April 1918,p.21

www.ancestry.co.uk:
1911 Census
1901 Census
UK Soldiers Died in The Great War, 1914-1919
England & Wales, Death Index, 1916 – 2006

Source of additional information: Ellesmerian Club, Ellesmere College, Shropshire. The Club has a photograph of James William Andrews.

James Andrews, Midland Bank Roll of Honour

A photograph of Cadet J.W. Andrews of Worcester can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 6th October 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.