Pte James Ormerod - 1/5th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

[Paul Ormerod]

Remembering James Ormerod (Private 2432 - 1st/5th Bn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), who died 100 years ago yesterday, on 28 May 1915.

James is believed to be the James Ormerod, husband of Fanny and father of John Robert Ormerod, who was resident in Guisborough and working as an ironstone miner at the time of the 1911 Census. He was born in Bacup, and is believed to be the son of John and Mary Ormerod.

James was killed in action on 28 May 1915 and is buried in Grave D. 2. in White City Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France.

1st/5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were part of 3rd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division, which became 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on 12 May 1915. They moved to Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 13 April 1915, then moved to Berguette, Merville, then billets near Doulieu. The Battalion began instruction, then toured in No. 6 Section, Fleurbaix sector, and during this time rested at La Gorgue.

Around the time of James' death, the Battalion was in trenches at Bois-Grenier, and had had a difficult time facing considerable German shelling and trench mortar fire, whilst trying to push their trenches forward, and attempting to occupy a ruined house in front of their lines, which had been used by German snipers.

On 28 May 1915 the Battalion War Diary notes: "A much quieter day + a good deal of work was done on new trench. One man killed + one wounded. Relieved by 4th K.O.Y.L.I. about 9 p.m."

On 29 May 1915 the Diary records: "In billets, resting + cleaning up after a strenuous 8 days in the trenches."

On the Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register, James is simply noted as 'J. Ormerod'.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that James was born in Bacup, but enlisted in the Army in Doncaster.

There is an inscription on Guisborough War Memorial, in the historic North Riding of Yorkshire, to James Ormerod of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Edited 14 June , 2015 by Paul Ormerod

[Verrico2009]

RIP

[Rum Ration]

Lest We Forget.