James's Story.
EARLY LIFE
James Rose was born in Macclesfield in 1896, the son of Mary Ann (nee Naylor) and John Rose, a goods porter. In 1901, four-year-old James was living at 16 Cross Street, Macclesfield, with his parents and one-month-old sister Christina.
James was educated at St Paul's school, attaining standard grade IV. By 1907 James had left school and was employed by a silk manufacturer as an errand boy, and he enrolled at Macclesfield Technical School to further his education.
In 1911, fifteen-year-old James was living at 3 Lowe Street, Sutton, south Macclesfield with his father and siblings Christina (11), Jack (3) and Guy (11 months). His mother was not at home on census night.
WW1 SERVICE
James initially joined the local Cheshire Regiment with service number 3279 soon after the outbreak of war, and was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was drafted out to France in early 1916.
The Macclesfield Times printed a report of James' death on 12 December 1917:
LOCAL ATHLETE KILLED - CHEERFUL COMRADE AND GOOD SOLDIER
Mrs Rose, 1 House, Slater's Passage, off Old Park Lane, Macclesfield, has been officially notified that her son, Pte James Rose, Machine Gun Corps, attached Cheshire Regt, was killed in action in France on November 18th. The following letter has been received from Lieut A G Browne: "...Your son was killed instantaneously by shell explosion. He was always a cheerful comrade and a good soldier and will be greatly missed..."
A native of Macclesfield, Pte Rose was twenty-one years of age and received his education at Lord Street School... He was connected with Brunswick Wesleyan Chapel and in civil life was employed by Mrs M E Scott, grocer, Mill Street, and later at Messrs Marsden's, ironfounders, Manchester. The deceased was a well-known local runner and footballer. He responded to the call of King and country on the outbreak of war. Pte Rose, after training at Aberystwyth, Bedford and other places, went out to France nearly two years ago.
A Memorial notice was printed in the Macclesfield Times on 19 November 1920:
ROSE - In loving memory of Pte James Rose, Machine Gun Corps, who was killed in action November 18th, 1917. Sadly missed by his sorrowing mother, brothers and sister. 1, Slater's Passage, Park Lane, Macclesfield. "Thy Will be done."
COMMEMORATION
Private James Rose is buried in Grave Ref. B. 23. of the Buffs Road Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
In Macclesfield, James Rose is commemorated on the Park Green and Town Hall war memorials and on the Brunswick Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ancient Order of Foresters and St John's Church rolls of honour.
SOURCES
GRO Indexes: Births
England and Wales Census: 1901, 1911
England and Wales Census: 1901, 1911
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 14 December 1917, 23 Sept 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.