Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
James Sayers was born on 1st February 1861 in Holmwood, Surrey to labourer Henry and Louisa (nee Mann), and was baptised on 14th April 1861 at St Mary’s church in Holmwood. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Holmwood and Henry was working as a labourer.
At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived at Toll Gate, Capel, Dorking. Henry was working as a toll keeper and Louisa was looking after their children: Mary, Jane, John, Caroline and James.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at Shellwood Cottage, Leigh, Surrey. Louisa was working as a charwoman. Of her children: Henry was working as an agricultural labourer, Jane was a general servant and Caroline, James and William were at school. The household further comprised of a boarder, agricultural labourer, Henry Dudley.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 2 Kingston Road, Woodbridge Cottages, Leatherhead. Henry was working as a general labourer and Louisa was at home. Of their children: Jane was working as a cook, James as a baker, William a labourer and Percy was at home.
James Sayers married Ellen Jenden, on 4th August 1883 at St Mary and St Nicholas´church in Leatherhead. At the time of their marriage the couple lived at Leatherhead and James was working as a baker.
Ellen Jenden was born about 1858 at Leatherhead to dairy man Charles, born about 1811 at Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, and Jane, born about 1813 in London. Ellen was baptised on 7th March 1858 at Leatherhead.
James and Ellen had a daughter, Ellen Sayers born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 at Anerley, Penge, London.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the young family lived at 6 Harcourt Road, Penge. James was working as a bricklayers´ labourer and Ellen was looking after their daughter Ellen.
At the time of the 1901 Census, James and his family lived at 79 Maple Road, Penge. James was working as a builder’s carman and Ellen was looking after their daughter Ellen. The household further comprised of boarders; carpenter, Herbert H. Stiles and builders estimating clerk Archibald A. Stuart.
On 29th April 1910 Ellen Sayers departed on SS Virginian from Liverpool, England to Quebec, Canada.
James Sayers enlisted on 22nd January 1916 at Ottawa, Ontario into the 116th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was a Private with regimental number 746118. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a baker and lived at Whiting Avenue, Cedar Dale, Ontario. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light hair. He was a member of the Church of England.
At the time of his death he was part of the 116th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry.
He died of erysipelas on his face and septicaemia on the 1st of December 1917 at No 14 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux.
He is buried at the Wimereux Communal Cemetery Extension near Boulogne in France. His grave reference number is: VIII.A.6A.
James´ wife Ellen died of flu and pneumonia at Oshawa Hospital in Ontario, Canada. She was 62 years old. She was burried on the 17th of February 1920 at Union Cemetery in Oshawa.
Sayers Family History
James´ father Henry was born about 1821 in Ockley, Surrey to labourer Edward and Ann. He was baptised on 11th February 1821 in the Parish of Ockley. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Ockley. James´mother Louisa Mann was born about 1827 in Ockley to labourer William and Fanny. Louisa Mann was baptised on 20th May 1827 at St John the Baptist’s church in Okewood. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Abinger and William was working as a labourer. Henry and Louisa married, on 18th November 1849 at St John´s church in Capel. At the time of the marriage the couple lived at Capel and Henry was working as a labourer.
James Sayers had seven known siblings: Mary born in the 4th quarter of 1849; Henry born in the 1st quarter of 1852; Jane born in 3rd quarter of 1854; John born on the 3rd quarter of 1856; William born in the 2nd quarter of 1863 and Percy Charles born in the 3rd quarter of 1867,all in Capel, Surrey. Caroline Sayers was born in the 1st quarter of 1859 in Warnham, Surrey.
At the time of the 1851 Census, the family lived at Rugs, Capel, Dorking, Surrey. Henry was working as an agricultural labourer and Louisa was looking after their daughter Mary.
At the time of the 1891 Census, James´ parents lived at Gardeners Cottages, Belmont Road, Leatherhead. Henry was working as a gardener and Louisa was at home. The household further comprised of their granddaughter Ann Sayers.
| Born | Holmwood | |
| Son of | Henry and Louisa Sayers (nee Mann) | |
| Husband of | Ella Jenden | |
| Regiment | 116th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force | |
| Number | 746118 | |
| Date of Death | 1st December 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of septicaemia | |
| Age | 56 | |
| Cemetery | Wimereux Communal Cemetery Extension, Boulogne, France |
