Pte 85187 James Hoy

• Age: 31
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 16th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Roisel Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: I.B.18

James Hoy was born in the second quarter of 1887 in Bootle, the son of William and Rose Ann Hoy (nee Kenney), of 14 Malcolm St, Bootle, Liverpool. His parents were married in 1886 at West Derby Registry Office, Liverpool. James was an only child.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 84 Canal Street, Bootle. His mother, Rose Ann, is head of the household, she is recorded as married and aged 30, born 1861 in Liverpool and is employed as a factory hand. James is aged 4, born 1887 in Bootle.

The 1901 Census shows the family now living at 22 Boston Street, Bootle. His father, William, is recorded as a 39 year old dock labourer living with his wife Rose Ann, recorded as aged 43 born in 1858 and son James who is now 14.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 14 Malcolm Street, Bootle. His father William is aged 50 and employed as a dock labourer and his wife Rose Ann (year of birth now showing as 1857) is aged 54, with no occupation listed. Thy have been married for twenty five years and have the one child, James who is now aged 24 and employed as a dock labourer.

He enlisted at Bootle, Liverpool joining the 14th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. Following a transfer he was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 85187 when he died of wounds on the 16th October 1918, aged 31, during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918). 

He now lies in Roisel CC Extension, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“SACRED HEART OF JESUS HAVE MERCY ON HIM R.I.P”

Roisel town was occupied by British troops in April 1917, and evacuated after a strong defence by the 66th (East Lancashire) Division in the evening of the 22nd March 1918. It was retaken in the following September.

Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension was begun by German troops, who buried immediately to the North of the Communal Cemetery. It was developed in October and November 1918, by the 41st, 48th, 53rd and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations, and it was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of British and German graves from the country North, East and South of Roisel.

There are now 878, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 120 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 12 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia who are known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of two soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration. The graves of 88 soldiers of the United States Army buried here in October 1918, have been removed to another cemetery. There are also 514, German Foreign Nationals commemorated in this site, 190 being unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 6,010 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall on three sides.

He was reported as died of wounds in Weekly Casualty List on the 03rd December 1918

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Rose Ann.

His father had died in the June quarter of 1916 aged 54. 

James is commemorated on the Bootle Civic Memorial.

We currently have no further information on James Hoy. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.