Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
James King was born on 20th January 1883 in Ripley, Surrey to labourer James and Sarah Ann (nee Lee).
On 28th June 1886, he was admitted into St Mark’s Church of England School in Reigate.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Old Deane, Mickleham. James snr was working as a labourer and Sarah Ann was at home looking after their children; labourer William, Edmund, Harry, James, Annie and Jane. The house also had two lodgers.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Chapel Farm Cottage, Westhumble. James snr was working as a farm bailiff and Sarah Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their son, carpenter, James; James’ Snr daughter from his previous marriage, cook, Mary ; their granddaughter Edith C. Tomlinson; a visitor, parlour maid Edith M. Cockle and two lodgers, gardeners, Ernest Burridge and Joseph Robinson.
James King Jnr married Edith Sharp on 29th May 1909 at St Martin’s Church, Dorking. At the time of their marriage James was working as a carpenter and lived in Westhumble. Edith lived in Club Cottage, High Street, Dorking.
Edith Sharp was born about 1884 in Dorking to bricklayer Edwin, born about 1855 in Dorking, Surrey and Emma, born about 1856 in Bookham. Her family lived in Dene Street in Dorking and Edwin was working as a bricklayer. At the time of the 1901 Census, Edith was a general servant for estate agent and surveyor Charles Daws at 55 High Street in Dorking.
The couple had two sons: Arthur James born about 1910 and Frederick born in the 2nd quarter of 1914, both in Dorking.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 15 Hart Gardens, Dorking. James was working as a carpenter and Edith was at home looking after their son Arthur. The accommodation had five rooms.
James King enlisted in Dorking into to the Royal Engineers. He was a Private with regimental number: 177008. Later he was part of the 24th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish), the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was a Private with regimental number: 47858.
At the time of his death James was the part of the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish), the Northumberland Fusiliers.
James King was killed in an action on or around the 20th-23rd March 1918 in France. His body was never found.
He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France on Bay 2 and 3.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
James’ wife Edith received £15, 14s and 1d on 28th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
King Family History
James’ father James King Snr was born on 22nd April 1841 in Medmenham, Buckinghamshire to agricultural labourer Joseph, born about 1796 in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and lace maker Phoebe, born about 1812 in Medmenham. James was baptised on 23rd May 1841 in Medmenham.
James married Harriet Caroline Lee in the 4th quarter of 1866 in Cookham, Berkshire.
Harriet was born about 1845 in Bisham, Berkshire to builder’s labourer Edmund Denham Lee, born about 1823, and Mary, born about 1821, both in Bisham. The couple had three known children: Sarah born about 1868 in Buckinghamshire; Emily born about 1870 in Bisham and Mary born about 1871 in Farnham, Surrey. Harriet died in 1873 and was buried on 31st December 1873 at St James the Less’ church in Stubbings, Berkshire. At the time of her death she lived in Cobham, Surrey.
James King re-married Harriet’s sister Sarah Ann Lee, on 17th of January 1875 at St Paul’s church, Southwark. James and Sarah lived in Southwark.
James King Jnr had five known full-siblings: William born about 1878 in St Martha’s, Surrey; Edmund born about 1879 in Ockham, Surrey; Harry born about 1881 in Ripley, Surrey; Annie born about 1885 and Jane born about 1890, both in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at High Street, Ripley. James was working as an agricultural labourer and Sarah Ann was at home looking after their children: William, Edmund and Harry. The household further comprised of James’ children from his previous marriage: Sarah, Emily and Mary.
At the time of the 1911 Census, James’ parents James and Sarah Ann lived at 43 Dene Street, Dorking. James was working as a farm labourer and Sarah Ann was at home. Sarah Ann stated that she had given birth to eight children of whom five were still alive. The accommodation had three rooms.
| Born | Ripley, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | James King and Sarah Ann King nee Lee. | |
| Husband of | Edith Sharp | |
| Father of | Arthur James King and Frederick King | |
| Enlisted | Dorking | |
| Regiment | 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | |
| Number | 47858 | |
| Former Regiment | Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 177008 | |
| Date of Death | 20-23rd March 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Memorial | Arras Memorial |
