Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frederick Charles James was born on the 24th of October 1895 in Dorking, Surrey to coachman and public house manager Charles and Annie Elizabeth (nee Arnold). He was baptised on 27th of November 1895 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 68 High Street
Frederick’s father Charles was born about 1871 to shepherd Mark, born 1829 in Biddlesden, Buckinghamshire and lacemaker Ann, born about 1831 in Syresham, Northamptonshire. Charles was baptised on the 18th of June 1871 in Evenley, Northamptonshire. His mother Annie was born on the 8th of August 1876 in Godalming, Surrey to licenced victualler Samuel, born about 1845 in Newbury, Berkshire and Annie, born about 1852 in Kingswood, Surrey. Annie was baptised on the 3rd of September 1876 at St Peters and St Paul’s church in Godalming,. Her father Samuel was a licenced victualler of Ram Inn at 68 High Street, Dorking. Charles married Annie in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Dorking.
Frederick Charles had two siblings: Annie Daisy born about 1899 in Mickleham, Surrey and Reginald born about 1903 in Dorking.
On the 27th of August 1900 Frederick was admitted into Dorking British School. At the time of his admission the family lived at The Ram. He left the school in 1906 as the family left Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 68 High Street with Annie’s mother Annie Maria, a licenced victualler, and her siblings: Clara, plumber’s labourer Frank and Mildred. Charles was working as a public house manager and Annie was looking after their children Frederick and Annie.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived in Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey with Annie’s mother Annie, who worked as a laundress, and her siblings: assistant Frank and Mildred. Charles was working as a laundryman and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of their children: houseboy Frederick, Annie and Reginald, also an assistant Kate Adams. Annie Elizabeth stated that she had given birth to four children of whom three were still alive. The house had six rooms.
Frederick James enlisted in Bunhill Row, London into the 5th Battalion the London Regiment. He was a Rifleman with regimental number 3344. At the time of his enlistment he lived at Walton-on-the-Hill.
He was later transferred into the 21st Battalion the London Regiment. His was a Rifleman with regimental number was 5982.
At the time of his death he was part of the 21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles). He was a Rifleman with regimental number 652766.
Frederick James died on the 8th of April 1918 at the Casualty Clearing Station in Syria.
He is buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery in Israel. His grave reference number is: V.77. The headstone bears the inscription: “Rest in Peace”.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
His father Charles James received £14, 11s and 8d on the 24th of September 1918 and a further £10 and 10s on the 26th of November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
At the time of Frederick’s death, his parents lived at 2 Church Green, Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Walton on the Hill, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles and Annie Elizabeth James of 68 High Street, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 5th Battalion. The London Regiment | |
| Number | 3344 | |
| Date of Death | 8th April 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Syria | |
| Cause of Death | Died of wounds | |
| Age | 22 | |
| Cemetery | Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel |
