Pte 34271 James Vickers

• Age: 21
• From: Crewe, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 15th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Bulls Rd Cem, Flers
  Panel Ref: Sp Mem. 10

James Vickers was born in Crewe, Cheshire, in the summer of 1895, the son of George Vickers and Evelyn (née Newton).  His parents, both born in Cheshire, George in Bunbury, and Evelyn in Wybunbury, married in 1888.James was the youngest of three children. He had a sister Edith, born in 1889, and a brother George, born in  1891.

 

In 1901 the family is living at 237 Alton Street, Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, where they remain. His father is a gas meter inspector, Edith is 11, George 9, and James is 5.  Also in the household is his uncle Arthur Vickers, 31, who works for the railway. 

 

They are at the same address in 1911.  His father 51, still works as a gas meter inspector, his mother is 44, Edith, 21, is a school teacher, George, 19, and James, 15, are app(rentice?) railway clerks. 

 

Prior to enlisting he was employed by the London and North West Railway at the Locomotive Department at Crewe.

He enlisted  in Liverpool where he joined the 18th Bn as Private 34271. James and was killed in action aged 21 on 15/10/16 and is buried at Bulls Road Cemetery at Flers. His headstone is one of the CWGC Special Memorial which  includes the Kipling phrase  “Believed to be buried this cemetery” It additionally bears the epitaph:

"TOO DEARLY LOVED TO BE FORGOTTEN".

 

Flers was captured on 15 September 1916 in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, when it was entered by the New Zealand and 41st Divisions behind tanks, the innovative new weapons that were used here for the first time. The village was lost during the German advance of March 1918 and retaken at the end of the following August by the 10th West Yorks and the 6th Dorsets of the 17th Division. The cemetery was begun on 19 September 1916 and was used by fighting units (mainly Australian) until March 1917. The 154 burials made during these months now form Plot I. Plot II, Row A, Graves 1-17 were added in September 1918 by the 17th Division burial officers. The rest of the cemetery consists of graves (mainly of September 1916, or August 1918) brought in after the Armistice from the fields between Flers and Longueval. There are now 776 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 296 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 15 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

 

The Medal Roll shows James in the 12th Bn K.L.R., possibly a recording error, as all other records show him in the 18th Bn. 

 

Notice of Jim’s death appeared in the Nantwich Guardian on 3rd November 1916:

 “Private James Vickers of the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), son of Mr. and Mrs. George Vickers, 237 Alton Street, Crewe, has been killed in action.  He enlisted in November 1915, and went out to the front in June last.  Prior to joining the Colours he was a clerk in the office of Mr. C. J. Bowen Cooke.  He was a teacher at All Saints’ Mission Sunday School and was much respected by his colleagues.  He had also figured from time to time in the Cottage Hospital football competition.  Deceased’s father, on Sunday last, went to London on a visit to his son’s chum, Private Fred Saunders, who is in hospital, and it was while on this friendly errand that he received the news of his son’s death.  Mr. and Mrs. Vickers have received numerous messages of sympathy in their sad bereavement.

 

Heart broken Sergeant

The parents have received the following letter- 

     “It is with the greatest pain and deepest regret that I have to write these few lines to you.  I pray that God will give you strength to bear up under the sad news I have for you - that your dear son, Private James Vickers, K.L.R., was killed in action on 15th October. 

     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 no 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, devoted soldier.  His place in my platoon can never be filled. Never a complaint left his lips; to him his duty was indeed a pleasure. About 15 minutes before he was killed we had the luck to get a mail up the line.  Jim received two or three letters, which he read. He received a parcel from you the day before we moved up the line.”

 

His parents placed a notice in the Chester Chronicle on the 04th November 1916: 

 “In loving memory of Private James Vickers, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action on October 15th, 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, mother, sister, and brother.“

 

Another letter was received from his Sergeant, published in the Nantwich Guardian on 14th November 1916, under the heading,

‘Splendid Tribute from a Sergeant’ - 

Mr. and Mrs. Vickers have received a further letter from the Sergeant of the platoon in which their son, the late Private James Vickers, was serving at the time he met with his death.  - 

“I was pleased to hear that you had received Jim’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, his uncomplaining spirit and of his love for his King and country.  These strong characteristics won for him the love and devotion 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 15th 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 this 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.”

 

His parents received his effects, including a War Gratuity of £3, and a pension of 3/- a week. In 1939 they were still at 237 Alton Street, his father was retired.  They lived through the Second World War, his father died in 1945 age 85, and his mother in 1947, age 81.

 

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

 
“IN LOVING MEMORY OF

   ALSO JAMES VICKERS

KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 

      15TH OCTOBER 1916

         AGED 21 YEARS”

 

James is commemorated on the following memorials - 

Crewe Railway Locomotive Department General Offices, Crewe

Crewe War Memorial.

 

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