Ethan Edwin James

Company Serjeant Major Ethan Edwin James, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 25^th Battalion

Early Life

Ethan Edwin James was born in Cardiff in 1882, the son of William Henry James, a Cornishman, and Agnes Ball of St Columb, Cornwall. William and Agnes had married in Redruth in 1861.

1891 Census

By the time of the 1891 Census, William was absent from home, but Agnes, aged 53, was living at Park Place, Sketty, with four of their children: Clara (26), Annie (22), Edward (13), and Ethan (9). Agnes was recorded without an occupation.

Prison Records

In February 1900, Ethan was sentenced to 14 days of hard labour at Swansea Prison after being found guilty of drunkenness and disorderly conduct. His prison record listed his occupation as cabinet maker.

1901 Census

At the 1901 Census, Ethan was employed as a servant in the household of David Davies at 87–88 St. Helens Avenue, Swansea. Meanwhile, the rest of his family were living nearby at no. 95, with William James returned and employed as a commission agent.

1911 Census

In 1909, Ethan married Louisa Rose King. By the 1911 Census, the couple were living at 45 Marlborough Road, Swansea, in the household of Ethan’s sister Agnes Carne Thomas and her husband, dock labourer Llewellyn Thomas. Their son Stanley (20) was recorded as a cabinet maker. Ethan, then 29, worked as an upholsterer, while his wife, Louisa (“Louie”), aged 28, kept house.

Military Service

Attestation Papers

On 19^th August 1914, soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Ethan enlisted at Cardiff, giving his home address as 12 Griffiths Terrace, Sketty. His surviving attestation papers show that he had previously served for two years with the Wiltshire Yeomanry. He initially joined the Welsh Horse before transferring to the 25^th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

The 25^th Royal Welsh Fusiliers was part of the 74^th (Yeomanry) Division, which, during September 1918, took part in the Final Allied Offensives on the Western Front. One of these was the Battle of Épehy (18–21 September), a hard-fought engagement in which the division attacked and captured sections of the German defensive line, then held off determined counterattacks.

By May 1918, Ethan had attained the rank of Company Serjeant Major. That same month, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery. His citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack he rushed an enemy machine gun single-handed and captured it with its two gunners. Later, during a withdrawal, he organized small parties and held successive positions, thus allowing time for the removal of the wounded and facilitating the withdrawal of his company from an untenable position. He showed magnificent courage and initiative.”

Death

Company Serjeant Major Ethan Edwin James was killed in action on 19^th September 1918, during the closing stages of the Battle of Épehy. He fell while serving with the 25^th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 74^th (Yeomanry) Division, which was engaged in fierce fighting to break through successive German defensive positions.

Burial

Ethan Edwin James
Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension
credit - findagrave

He is buried at Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. The extension was established in September 1918, following the capture of Doingt by the British Fourth Army during the Allied advance. It contains the graves of over 400 servicemen of the First World War, many of whom, like Ethan, fell during the Battle of Épehy and the subsequent operations to push back the German Army in the final weeks of the war.

Ethan’s grave lies among those of comrades from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and other regiments who fought and died in the same offensive. The carefully tended cemetery stands as a lasting tribute to the men who gave their lives in the closing stages of the conflict, ensuring that their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Legacy

Ethan’s sacrifice is remembered on St. Paul’s memorial, Swansea. His gallantry, recognised with the award of the DCM, ensures that his name endures among those who displayed extraordinary courage during the Great War.