James William West - help needed to trace records

[LisaW1975]

Hi, i'm hoping someone on this forum might be able to help with my search for my Husbands Great Grandfather's WW1 records.

James William West was born 1886/1887 in Grays Essex but moved to Canning Town/East London in the early 1900's

I have been told that he served with the Essex and then the Gloucestershire Regiments (could be the other way round) and that he was already enlisted in the army before WW1. James was also awarded the Military Cross according to my Great Uncle.

I've searched the available online newspaper archives and also the WW1 records on Ancestry but can't find any records on James.

I'd be very grateful for any pointers/information.

Many thanks

Lisa

[SteveE]

Lisa

Welcome to the forum.

Firstly a question, How certain are you of the Essex/Gloucestershire Regiment connection? Reason being I can't find any James (W) Wests as possible fits. I have found one James William West awarded a Military Cross but he was in the Royal Garrison Artillery.

From London Gazette #30813, 26th July 1918....

2nd Lt. James William West, R.G.A.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a heavy artillery ammunition refilling point. Under continuous shell fire of gas and high explosive he organised and maintained throughout the day a most efficient supply of ammunition to batteries, remaining on the dump till the ammunition had been issued. During the subsequent withdrawal he retired from railhead to railhead, at each place supervising the issue of ammunition, and only leaving when each dump in turn became untenable. His bearing and energy throughout were splendid.

Link to the Gazette is Here

Regards

Steve

[SteveE]

Before I go too far down a possible wrong track does the address 111 Herbert Road, Manor Park ring any bells?

Steve

[LisaW1975]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the link

I've been trawling the Gazette for ages and you managed to find it straight away lol... what was i doing wrong ?

My Father in Law told me about the Essex/Gloucesters. He was told this by his Great Uncle, James' son.

I'm sure we have a photo somewhere of James in his uniform so i'll get a copy scanned and will post it to see if anyone on here can confirm the regiment from his uniform etc.

The 2nd Lt rank rings a bell though.

I'll have a look again on Ancestry now i have a possible regiment.

Thanks again

Lisa

p.s just seen your new message. The family were living in Manor Park as my Grandad was born there in 1914 so it must be the right James. Thankyou

[SteveE]

Sounds very promising then

There are two Medal Index Cards for him on Ancestry, one as J W West, the other as James W West (both have the service number 26771), one has the address I posted above.

Here's his commission as a Second Lieutenant from the London Gazette #30253, 25th August 1917.

REGULAR FORCES.

The undermentioned Wt. and N.C.O's. to be 2nd Lts. for service in the Field: —

R.G.A. —Serjt. John Woods. 26th May 1917.

Serjt. Albert Sandford. 16th June 1917.

Serjt. James William West. 22nd June 1917.

Link to the Gazette is Here

Regards

Steve

[LisaW1975]

Hi again Steve,

Just a quick question.

James sold his medals sometime after the war. Could you suggest of anyway of possibly tracking where they are now.

I'm hoping as one of them was a military cross, it might be a little easier to track down.

Thanks

Lisa

[SteveE]

Lisa

I'm not a collector so it's out of my 'area' but you could try this forum.... British Medal Forum

Regards

Steve

[Stebie9173]

As an officer there is a good chance that he has a physical file on him at the National Archives. Possibilities are:

WO 374/73192 WEST, 2/Lieut J W 1907-1920

WO 339/52986 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/53046 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/53506 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/61269 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/61499 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/66695 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/84687 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/85387 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/85951 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/97942 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/98161 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/99439 WEST J [1914-1922]

WO 339/129530 WEST J [1914-1922]

I'd probably check the first one out first!

These require a visit to the National Archives at Kew.

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

James is not listed in the Royal Garrison Artillery entries in the Distinguished Conduct Medal register "Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal" by R W Walker, so it is more than likely that he wasn't awarded that particular medal.

Nor can I find him on my list of MMs up to the end of 1917, by which time he had beeen commissioned and was no longer eligible for these medals.

Steve.