Pte 26020 James William Watts

James William was born in the second quarter of 1890 in Upholland,  near Wigan the eldest child and son of James William Watts and his wife Jane (nee Fairclough). 

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at Ormskirk Road, Upholland. His father is a 26 year old stone mason born in Lancashire in 1865, whilst his mother is 24 years of age and was born in Lancashire in 1867. James William is recorded as being under one year of age.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 113 Ormakirk Road, Upholland. James is now 10 years of age and lives with both parents and four siblings. His father advises that he was born in Crawshaw Booth and is now a rock getter in a stone quarry. His mother advises that she was born in Upholland as were all of her children. James' siblings are listed as; Thomas aged 9, Florence aged 7, Henry aged 4 and Elizabeth aged 2.

By 1911 the family are living at 232 Ormskirk Road, Upholland. James William is now aged 20 and is a colliery labourer below ground. He lives with both parents and five siblings. His parents advise that they have been married for 23cyears and have had eleven children of whom eight have survived. Those listed as in the household are; Thomas aged 19 who like his father and elder brother is a colliery labourer below ground, Elizabeth aged 12, John 8, Edith 5 and Ernest 3. 

James William married Sarah Barton in the first quarter of 1914.

He enlisted in Liverpool in February 1915. He was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 26020 when he was killed in action on 20th June 1917 aged 27.

The Battalion diary records that they were:

In huts, training and supplying cable trench working parties:   

On 20^th June 1917 Private James William Watts was recorded in the Battalion diary as killed in action.

A newspaper article appeared shortly after his death and is transcribed below:

Upholland Drawer Killed

"One of the best fellows in the world"

Mrs Watts of 143 Ormskirk Road, Upholland has received news that her husband, Private James William Watts of the King's Liverpool Regiment has been killed while on active service. Pte Watts who was 27 years old, enlisted in February 1915 and was last employed as a drawer at the White Moss Collieries. his Captain writing to the widow sends his most sincere sympathy and tells her that her husband was one of the best fellows in the world, and died most gallantly by trying to get the horses to a place of safety as our lines were being badly shelled.

"The only consolation therre is in this very sad business is that he died an absolutely painless death, being hit through the heart and dying instantaneously" adds the writer. "Your husband had been with me since the section was formed two years ago and he will be terribly missed by me and all his comrades, being always cheerful and ready to give anyone a helping hand and we can ill afford to lose such men" 

James William now rests at Dickiebusch New Military Cemetery in Belgium where his headstone contains an epitaph from both his wife and his parents:

 

The New Military Cemetery was begun in February 1915 (in succession to the Old Military Cemetery near the Church), and was used until May 1917 by neighbouring fighting units and field ambulances. The 31st (Alberta) Canadian Infantry Battalion erected a memorial in it to 22 of their numbers who fell in April 1916. A few further burials took place in March and April 1918. The Extension was used from May 1917 to January 1918.

The New Military Cemetery contains 624 First World War burials, including 8 unidentified. The Extension contains 547 including 5 unidentified. The two cemeteries are treated, so far as possible, as one. The Cross is placed in the Extension, opposite the entrance, and the War Stone by the roadside in the New Military Cemetery.

The site was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His death was reported in the Wigan Observer on the 07th July 1917:

WATTS - In loving memory of Private James William Watts, who was killed in action on June 20th 1917, aged 27 years .

Somewhere in Belgium my husband lies,

His grave to us unknown.

I was not near to hold his hand,

Nor hear his last farewell.

The only consolation left is to know we meet again.

From his loving wife Sarah Watts, 143 Ormskirk Road, near Wigan

He is also commemorated on the Upholland Memorial. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Sarah (Alker).

 

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