David George James

 Company Serjeant Major David George James – Rifle Brigade, 13^th Battalion

Early Life

David George James was born in 1887 in Treorchy, Glamorgan, the son of Daniel Noak James and Kate Annie Charles, who had married in 1883 at Pontypool, Monmouthshire.

1891 Census

By the time of the 1891 Census, the James family was living at 13 Bond Street, Swansea. Daniel, aged 32 and born in Newport, Monmouthshire, was employed as a Grocer’s Assistant, while Kate, aged 31 and born in Usk, Monmouthshire, kept house. Their children at that time were Gwendoline (7), Sydney C. (5), David G. (4) — all attending school — and the youngest, Daisy J. (2).

A decade later, at the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 3 Llywel Street, St. Gabriel. Daniel, now 43, was still working as a Grocer’s Assistant, while Kate, aged 41, continued at home. Their children were Sidney Charles (15), employed as a Wood Parer; David George (13), working as a Solicitor’s Clerk; Daisy Jane (12); Gladys Esther (7); Dorothy (5); William Granville (3); and baby Elizabeth (5 months).

David George James and Nellie Marion Excell
marriage certificate
St. Pauls Church

Although no census record for the family survives in 1911, it is known that by 1915, David had married Nellie Marion Excell.

Military Service

During the First World War, David enlisted with the Rifle Brigade, 13^th Battalion. Rising through the ranks to become Company Serjeant Major, he distinguished himself for bravery and was awarded the Military Medal (MM).

Death

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects

Company Serjeant Major David George James was killed in action on 14^th November 1916, during the closing stages of the Battle of the Somme. At that time, the 13^th Battalion, Rifle Brigade was engaged in operations around Beaucourt-sur-l’Ancre, part of the Battle of the Ancre.

This battle marked the final British push of the Somme campaign. The battalion, as part of the 111^th Brigade, 37^th Division, advanced in difficult winter conditions across muddy, shell-torn ground against stubborn German resistance. The fighting was bitter and costly, with attacks carried out in driving rain and thick mud.

David fell amid this final push, as the British secured Beaucourt and forced the Germans back from their strong defensive positions along the Ancre valley.

Commemoration

David George James
Thiepval Memorial
credit - findagrave

David has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, which bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector and have no known resting place. His name stands among those of his comrades who fought and died in the mud and horror of the Somme, their courage preserved in memory even without a marked grave.

Legacy

Company Serjeant Major David George James is remembered on the St. Paul’s memorial, Swansea, alongside fellow servicemen from the parish who gave their lives during the Great War. His award of the Military Medal marks him out for acts of bravery and devotion to duty on the battlefield.

Though he has no known resting place, his name, inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial, ensures that his sacrifice will never be forgotten, standing as part of the enduring record of courage shown by those who fought in the trenches of the Western Front.