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James Mortimer, born 14 Aug 1871, was the eldest son of John Robert Mortimer, the Yorkshire archaeologist and corn merchant of Driffield, and his wife Matilda (nee Mitchell). He was educated at Pocklington School and St Peter's School, York (1882-1886), where he rowed for St Peter's School. An enthusiastic cricketer, he was the popular Captain of Driffield Town 1st XI for many years. On 7 Jun 1904, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Woodcock, daughter of John Woodcock, gentleman, and his wife Elizabeth Jane, (nee Lowish) of Grove Cottage, Driffield. Mrs Betty Mortimer died aged 27, on 5 Apr 1905. Three years later, on 20 May 1908, he married Betty's younger sister, Dora Woodcock. James became the owner of the family firm James Mortimer, Corn Merchants, of River Head, Driffield. This long established Driffield company is still extant.
Aged 17 James joined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment as a private on 9 Jan 1889 and was promoted through the ranks. As a Captain in the 2nd Volunteers East Yorkshires he fought in the Boer War at Cape Colony, Wittebergen and the Transvaal. Promoted to Major on 24 Jan 1906 he joined the newly constituted Territorial Force on 1 Apr 1908. He was held in high esteem by and enjoyed a good rapport with his soldiers - "My Yorkshires" he called them.
The 1st/5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment was a Territorial Battalion in the 150th Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. In Aug 1914 Major James Mortimer was second-in-command to Lt-Col Sir Mark Sykes of Sledmere. Prior to embarkation for France, James assumed command of the battalion and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. The battalion arrived in Boulogne on the 18 Apr 1915 and completed its concentration in the vicinity of Steenvoode on 24 Apr. That day, due to the critical situation, and with only two hour's notice, the battalion was thrust into the fierce fighting at the Battle of St Julien. Here they earned the name "The Yorkshire Gurkhas". For his brave action at St Julien, Lt-Col Mortimer was Mentioned in Despatches. At an investiture at Buckingham Palace on Saturday 27 May 1916 he was decorated Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by His Majesty King George V.
The battalion fought in the Ypres/Armentieres/Kemmel areas until Aug 1916. On 15 Sep 1916 the battalion attacked Martinpuich at the beginning of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the date and location of the first use of tanks in warfare. The attack was due to begin at dawn. Soon after 3.30am "murderous fire" from the enemy raked down on the assembly trench. Just before zero hour, Lieutenant-Colonel James Mortimer was waiting with his men in Swansea Trench when he was killed by a shell. A few minutes later, in the same spot, his brother-in-law, Captain Frank Woodcock was also killed. They are buried in nearby graves in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France.
James left a widow Dora and two young children, Betty aged 11 and Jack aged 5.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |