© Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
James Nightingale was born on 17th March 1880 in Betchworth, Surrey to labourer James and Annie (nee Gregory).
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Brockham. James was working as a general labourer and Annie was looking after their children: Ann, John, Edith and James.
On 31st October 1887 James was admitted into the St Martin’s Church of England School for Boys. At the time, the family lived in Leslie Road in Dorking. James left the school on 22nd December 1887.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Lime Works Cottages in Betchworth. James snr was still working as a general labourer and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of their children: general labourer John, Edith, James, William and Sydney.
James Nightingale enlisted on 13th November 1899 in London into the Royal Marine Light Infantry – Portsmouth Division. He was a Private with regimental number PO/10813 (Royal Marine Reserve/B. 1457) (PO). At the time of his enlistment he was working as a lime burner. James had a dark complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.
On 25th July 1900 James passed his swimming test.
At the time of the 1901 Census, James Nightingale was a patient at the Royal Naval Hospital in Alverstoke Hampshire. James was still a Private in the Royal Marines.
James re-engaged into the Marine Service on 22nd November 1911. On 13th July 1913 he injured his left hip. On 1st January 1917 James enrolled into the Royal Fleet Reserve.
The last ship he served on was SS Cairnstrath, where he was a Gunner.
DROWNED AT SEA
Mr. and Mrs. James Nightingale, 14 Lime Works, Betchworth, were officially informed by the Admiralty on Thursday last that the ship on which their second son, Pte. James Nightingale, R. M. L. I. was serving as a gunner, was sunk on August 4th. They report him as missing and as there is only one survivor (one of the crew) it is feared without doubt that he has lost his life. Pte. Nightingale who was in his 38th year and unmarried.
James Nightingale Death Notice © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
Pte. James Nightingale, R. M. L. I. of Betchworth
had served as a marine for over 17 years. Mr Nightingale’s eldest son John Nightingale, has been a chief stoker in the Navy for 19 years. A third son, Pte. Wm. Nightingale, in the Reserves (Rifle Brigade), was called up on August 8th, 1914, sent to France at once, and was present at Mons. After 29 months’ service in France, he was afflicted with nerve troubles and was ultimately discharged and is now living in Ireland. A younger son Pte. Sydney Nightingale, A.S.C is at Salonika.
James Nightingale Death Notice © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
James Nightingale died in the early hours of 4th August 1917 on board of SS Cairnstrath in Bay of Biscay when it was struck by an enemy submarine torpedo. The ship sank almost immediately. There was only a one survivor from a crew of 23. James Nightingale had been in the Marines for over 17 years.
James Nightingale is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Hampshire. His memorial reference is 27.
In 1917 James’ parents James and Annie Nightingale lived at 14 Lime Works Cottages in Betchworth, Surrey.
Nightingale Family History
James’ father James was born in the 1st quarter of 1846 in Dorking to miller’s labourer William, born about 1815 in Reigate, Surrey and Mary, born about 1817 in Godstone, Surrey. James was baptised on 12th April 1846 in Dorking. His mother Annie Gregory was born in the 4th quarter of 1845 in Orpington, Kent to farm labourer Jenking, born about 1806 in Sutton, Kent and Catherine, born about 1811 in Farnborough, Kent. James and Annie married in the 2nd quarter of 1870 in Bromley, Kent.
James Nightingale had eight siblings of whom six are known: Ann A born about 1873; John born about 1876; and Edith Nightingale born about 1879, all in Betchworth. William born about 1883 in Brockham. Walter born about 1886 and Sydney Nightingale born about 1888, both in Dorking.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived in Cotmandene, Dorking. James was working as a labourer in an iron work and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of Annie’s niece Jane Gregory and a lodger Edward Woodman.
At the time of the 1911 Census, James’ family lived at 14 Lime Works Cottages in Betchworth. James Snr was working as a general labourer in a lime works and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of their children: auxiliary postman Walter and a clerk in a lime works Sydney. Annie stated that she had given birth to nine children of whom seven were alive. The dwelling house had five rooms.
| Born | Betchworth, Surrey | |
| Lived | Betchworth, Surrey | |
| Son of | James and Anne Nightingale of 14 Limeworks, Betchworth, Dorking | |
| Regiment | Royal Marine Light Infantry. S.S. Cairnsrath | |
| Number | P.O/10813 | |
| Former Regiment | R.M.R./B./1457 | |
| Date of Death | 4th August 1917 | |
| Place of Death | At Sea | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 36 | |
| Memorial | Portsmouth Naval Memorial |
