JAMES VICKERS 

James Vickers was the youngest of three children born to George and Evelyn Vickers, of 237 Alton Street, Crewe. The 1911 census shows that George and Evelyn had been married for 22 years, George was a gas meter inspector, their eldest child, Edith 21, was a school teacher, George 19, and James 15, were both apprentice railway clerks.

James worked in the office of Mr. C.J. Bowen Cooke, he was a teacher at the All-Saints Mission Sunday School, and he was involved on a number of occasions with the Cottage Hospital football competitions. He enlisted in November 1915, into the Kings Liverpool Regiment and posted to the 18 battalion, he went to France in June 1916.

James was killed in action on Sunday 15 October 1916. The battalion had moved to into the Flers support trench on the 12 October with three companies also occupying Grove Alley. At 10.30pm on the 13 October they moved into the frontline and relieved the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment, the war diary reports that on the way up to the frontline the Germans fired a considerable number of gas shells which caused no serious casualties owing to the men quickly putting on their gas masks. On the 14 October the battalion were relieved by the 2nd battalion Yorkshire Regiment, James and his comrades moved to Flers trench. These trenches were easily still in range of German artillery, it while in Flers trench that James received his fatal wound. His parents received letters from his sergeant.

“He was hit by a piece of bursting shell, which penetrated his body, affecting the spinal cord, death taking place immediately. He knew no pain, thank God. I am exceedingly sorry for you in your great bereavement. Jimmy was in my platoon and was one of my best boys. He acted as my runner, taking messages wherever needed; consequently, he had been by my side since we had taken over the trench. I write of your boy as I knew him and was heartbroken when he was hit. His death has robbed us of a dear comrade; one who was held in the highest esteem; loved and respected by all. His platoon comrades wish me to express to you their deepest sympathy in your great loss. He is lost to you, but your loss is truly his gain. A more glorious death on one could wish for, to fall fighting for victory for his King and country, which calls for the greatest of all sacrifices. What a noble lad he was! A most true and devoted soldier. His place in my platoon can never be filled. Never a complaint left his lips; to him duty was indeed a pleasure. About 15 minutes before he was killed, we had the luck to get mail up the line. Jim received two or three letter, which he read. He received a parcel from you the day before we moved up the line.”

A second letter was received from the sergeant.

“ I was pleased to hear that you have had received Jims’s wallet safely. I knew the value of it to you and was most anxious for its safety. I only wish it was in my power to comfort you. I will try to by telling you of Jim’s strong characteristics. He left you a farewell message, and looking for Jim’s address I came across this message. He had written his own character in this letter. In the lines you can read of his trust in God; he was a good living boy; you read of his willingness, uncomplaining spirit, and of his love for his King and country. These strong characteristics won him the devotion and love of all his comrades. He was a dear boy, never passed a wrong word with anyone. I could trust him with any duty, always knowing it would be fulfilled to the letter. He was indeed a soldier to be proud of. I cannot find words to tell you enough of Jimmy to give him the honour he deserves. I have now to give you the particulars you asked for; I know what I write will destroy your hopes, but I write the truth. Jimmy was killed about noon on the 15 October, and we were relieved of those trenches shortly afterwards. Our captain spoke to the captain of the relieving party about the burial of Jim’s body at dark, and he promised faithfully to have done, and I can assure you it would be done. Jim would be buried behind the trench, most probably a small temporary cross being placed on his grave. The grave Jim lies in is indeed a soldier’s grave.”

 

The family placed an In Loving Memory in the local press.

In loving memory of Private James Vickers, of the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), who was killed in action October 15, 1916.

God knows how much we miss him.

He knows the tears we shed.

And whispers: Hush, he only sleeps, your loved one is not dead.

The happy hours we once enjoyed.

How sweet their memory still:

No morning dawns, no night returns.

But what we think of him.

From his loving Father and Mother, Sister and Brother, and Jennie.

 

James is believed to have been buried at Bulls Road cemetery, Flers. This means that the exact location of his grave within the boundary of the cemetery is not known, so his remains are not beneath the headstone.

James is also remembered on his parents’ gravestone in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Wistaston.

In loving memory of also James Vickers

Killed in Action in France

15 October 1916

Age 21 years.




In Loving Memory of George Vickers. Died 30 November 1945. Aged 85 years.
And Evelyn Vickers. Died 19 November 1947. Aged 81 years.
Also James Vickers Killed in Action in France 15 October 1916. Aged 21 years.