Jim's Story.
Headstone picture © Cheshire Roll of Honour.
Jim Littler was born on 1st July 1899, in Northwich. He was the son of Isaac Littler (1866–1932) and Hannah / Annie Foster (1872–1950) and brother to Sidney (1894–1911), Edna Olive (1896–1981), Jack (1901–1977) and Florence Harriet (1903–1989). Baptised on 10th August at Witton-cum-Twambrooks, he grew up in Northwich, attending the Witton National School and the London Road Wesleyan Sunday School. In 1901, the family was living at 16 Warrington Road, and in 1911 the census shows their address as 14 Forest Street. At the time of his death, Jim's parents were resident at 31, High Street, Northwich. Cheshire.
Jim was killed in action on 28th April 1918. He was almost nineteen years old. He is buried at Mailly-Maillet, Picardie, in France.
The Record of Deceased Soldier's Effects (below) confirms his father's name.
A newspaper account includes the letter that was sent to his parents to advise them of his death:
"You will be surprised and perhaps anxious at a letter arriving from France in a strange handwriting. I wish I was able to set your uneasiness at rest but I'm afraid I must prepare you for some very bad news. Your son, Private J Littler was two nights ago called upon to make the supreme sacrifice of his Ife. No doubt it will be some consolation to you to know that he was killed instantly by a shell and suffered no pain whatever. I have only been with the battalion a short while, but I need hardly say that we miss your son's cheery presence among us terribly. He was also a good soldier and will be a sore loss to the platoon. I know what this letter and its sad news will mean to you, and I can only say how very sorry I am and offer Jou my sincerest sympathy. He was buried by the chaplain in a little French cemetery. We had a short service, and his comrades were there. We paid our last respects to your son just as we thought you would have wished if you could have been there. Please do not hesitate to write to me at once if there is anything I can do."
