| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
James was born in 1886 the son of George and Mary Rispin, George was a tanners labourer. James was employed as a labourer. In 1909 he married Alice Ashbridge, but by 1911 James as a widower, Alice died in 1910. In Jul 1911 James and brother, Ernest, emigrated to Canada.
In Jan 1915 James enlisted to serve in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force and served in France where he was wounded in Jul 1916. A report in the Beverley Guardian dated 29 Jul 1916 states :
"News has been received that J. Rispin formerly of Beverley, has been wounded in the left arm by schrapnel whilst fighting in France. He is now in hospital in England. The wounded soldier has three brothers fighting in France".
James underwent a medical examination in Aug 1917 when he gave his occupation as signalman - railroad, but was considered to be unfit for further service because of “a scar 4 ins. long on the outer surface of the elbow joint.”
After the war he lived in Alberta and in 1920 he married Elizabeth M Silk who was born in Kent and whose family had emigrated to Canada in 1911. No further details regarding James and Elizabeth have been found so it is not known if they remained in Canada or if they had any children.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |