Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following information.
James Duffield was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Dorking to James and Ann nee Hillman. He was baptised on 15th November 1896 at St Margaret’s Church, Ockley. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Ockley and James snr was working as a carter.
James’ father James was born about 1853 in Rudgwick, Sussex to agricultural labourer Peter, born about 1831 in Billingshurst, Sussex and Mary, born about 1829 in Pulborough, Sussex. James was baptised on 3rd April 1853 in Rudgwick. His mother, Ann Hillman was born in the 1st quarter of 1866 in Slinfold, Sussex to an agricultural labourer Jesse, born about 1832 in West Grinstead, Sussex and Rebecca, born about 1834 in Billingshurst. Rebecca was baptised on 11th March 1866 in Slinfold. James and Ann married on the 3rd of June 1893 in Slinfold.
James Duffield had four known siblings: Richard born in 1895 in Okewood; Annie born about 1899; Mary born about 1902 and Kate born about 1903, all in Ockley.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Heathfield Cottages, Ockley Court, Ockley. James Snr was working as a farm carter and Ann was at home looking after their children: Richard, James and Annie.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were still in Heathfield Cottages. James was working as a horseman on a farm and Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their children: grooms Richard and James, Annie, Mary and Kate. Annie stated that she had given birth to six children of whom five were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
James Duffield enlisted in March 1915 in Clapham, Surrey into the 2nd/1st Surrey Yeomanry Queen Mary’s Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 2647. Previously to joining the Army he was employed by Mr W. A. Calvert of Ockley Court Park.
He was transferred prior to going to France into the 12th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment. His new regimental number was 25498.
At the time of his death he was part of the 8th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment. James was wounded in December 1917 and returned to France only few months before his death.
OCKLEY MAN’S DEATH
PTE. JAMES DUFFIELD
Mr. Duffield, of Heathfield Cottages, Ockley, has received the sad news of the death in action during the recent severe fighting of his youngest son, Pte. James Duffield. Pte. Duffield, who joined the Surrey Yeomanry in March 1915, was transferred upon going to France some 18 months ago to the East Surrey Regiment. He was wounded some six months ago, and had only quite recently returned to France. Previous to joining the Army he was employed by Mr. W. A. Calvert, of Ockley Court Farm. Mr. Duffield’s eldet son, who was awarded the Military Medal, is again home wounded, but is progressing satisfactorily. Much sympathy is felt in the village for Mr. and Mrs. Duffield in their sad bereavement.
James Duffield Death Notice 11th May 1918 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
James Duffield was killed in action during the severe fighting on the 5th of April 1918 in France.
His body was never found. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France on panels 44 and 45.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
James’ father James Duffield received £6, 5s and 8d on the 7th of August 1918 and a further £13 and 10d on the 29th of November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
James’s parents lived at Park Farm, Beare Green, Surrey.
| Born | Ockley, Surrey | |
| Lived | Clapham, Surrey | |
| Son of | James and Ann Duffield, of Park Farm, Beare Green, Dorking, Surrey | |
| Husband of | ||
| Enlisted | Clapham | |
| Regiment | 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | 25498 | |
| Date of Death | 5th April 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 21 | |
| Memorial | Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France |
