William David James – The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 9th (Service) Battalion
Second Lieutenant William David James – The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 9th (Service) Battalion
Family Background
William David James was born in 1894 at Devonport,
Devon, the son of David James and Elizabeth Ann James.
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| 1901 Census |
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were residing at 37 Mysydd Road, Swansea. David (44), born in Pembrokeshire, was employed as a general labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Ann (44), born in Devonport, managed the household. Their children were Elizabeth (15), Beatrice (13), Mary (10), William (7), Maria (5), John (3), and Bessie (6 months).
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| 1911 Census |
By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 10 Short Street, Swansea. David (54) was working as a Cleaning Porter with the General Post Office, and Elizabeth Ann (54) remained at home. Their children present were Mary May (24), a café waitress; William David (17), employed as a junior clerk in a solicitor’s office; Maria (14); John Elias (12); and Bessie (10), the younger children attending school.
Military Service
During the First World War, William was commissioned as a Second
Lieutenant in The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 9th (Service)
Battalion.
On 23rd March 1918, the battalion was
heavily engaged during the opening phase of the German Spring Offensive
(Operation Michael). Following a devastating artillery bombardment, German
forces advanced using infiltration tactics designed to break through British
lines along the Somme. Units of the 9th Battalion were forced into desperate
defensive fighting and fighting withdrawals as positions were overwhelmed.
Communications were frequently cut by shellfire, and officers were required to
rally scattered men and organise rearguard actions under extreme pressure.
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