James Mills's Story.
James Mills Preston was born in Heaton Moor, Stockport in 1889, one of three children born to Joseph (a domestic gardener) and Mary Preston. His father became a gardener on the Tabley Estate.
By May 1910 James was working for the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, earing £3.15s a month as a gardener. He left there in December 1911 and moved to Newbury in Berkshire and continued his profession as a jobbing domestic gardener.
He enlisted at the Newbury recruiting office in 1916, joining the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment becoming Private no. 22782.
In April 1917 James was hospitalised (there is no record as to why), but it was serious enough to warrant him the be returned to England. He was admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans.
James was killed in action on the 5th August 1917.
The war diary states:
5th August 1917
Iron Bridge Tunnels
At 4am in a heavy mist the enemy attempted to re-take HOLLEBEKE. He succeeded in getting into FORRET FARM and tried to take HOLLEBEKE, working round the village from the rear as well as round the front. On this occurring Capt J P FOWLER slightly withdrew his company from HOLLEBEKE and cut off a small party who had got behind him. The left with the exception of one post of one officer and 15 menâheld firm; the whole of this post were taken prisoner except one sergeant who returned and one man who was afterwards seen dead.
Very little information reaching Batt: HQ Major G D Amery and 2nd Lt S Lazenby went forward to clear up the situation; on further information the 2 companies who had previously been in reserve, were sent forward in support to OPAL RESERVE. the CO proceeding to OPTIC TRENCH. At that moment a message arrived from Capt J P FOWLER giving his dispositions; an immediate counter-attack under cover of the mist was ordered, Major G D Amery having become a casualty. Capt C C OXBORROW's Coy advanced with some men of the 12th East Surrey Regt and eventually assisted to re-capture HOLLEBEKE. One platoon from the reserve company was detailed to attack FORRET FARM with the assistance of some men of the 12th East Surreys. In addition a Company were ordered to do the same thing, but came up on East side. The village and FORRET FARM were cleared and 17 prisoners taken; in the meantime while the above orders were being put into effect by means of Major R Pennell personally delivering the orders given, the CO returned to 12th E Surrey Regts HQ and asked for a slow rate of fire for ¼ hour then rapid for same period, followed again by a further period of slow fire which was carried out and which fortunately coincided with the attack on HOLLEBEKE. On arrival of one platoon of the 15th Bn Hants Regt near FORRET FARM a Stafford officer was re-organising some of the E Surrey Regt. He handed over the command to 2nd Lt P E Shields, and the Hants and Surreys re-took Forret Farm taking 13 prisoners. ½ company of the Staffords were brought up at 2nd Lt P E Shields request and ‘stood by in support, 200 yards in rear, but were not required.
Our forward positions were reinforced by Y Coy.
Enemy were observed massing for another attack and at 9.30pm they commenced crawling towards our lines, but were completely dispersed by MG fire and a well-timed barrage, our lines remaining intact.
He is listed as I.M. Preston on the memorial within the chapel at Tabley.
Researched and compiled by Tony Davies.