DOWDESWELL James

James Dowdeswell enlisted for 1 year in the army on 31st August 1914 at Worcester.  On his attestation paper he gave his place of birth as Tibberton, Droitwich, Worcestershire, his age as 40 years 120 days and his occupation as a labourer.  He had previous military experience with the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment.  He was mobilised the same day and posted on 1st November.  On 13th December 1914 he received 14 days Field Punishment No 2 for drunkenness.  His next of kin was his sister, Rose Ellen, Brooks, Tibberton, Droitwich, Worcestershire.  James was killed in action on 12th March 1915.

His sister, Rose Ellen Rogers, 116 Henry St, Ashted, Birmingham completed an army form with some particulars of family members still living on 30th July 1919, namely herself and another sister, Fanny Brown, Fordraught Farm, Tibberton.  James had no wife or children and their parents are shown as dead.  For brothers, Rose had written’ addresses and ages not known’.

James was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  His family failed to claim them – a note on his medal index card dated 3/3/22 states ‘Oi/c (Officer in Charge) Recs (records) requested auth to dispose of medals’.  However, later correspondence in 1922 and 1923 between family members and the army appears to show a claim being made, the outcome of which does not appear to have survived.

James Dowdeswell has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.