| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
James was born in Beverley on 15 Feb 1899 and was baptized at St Mary’s church on 18 July of that year. He was one of three sons born to Martin Michael and Emily Jane Westerby (nee Green). His father owned a shop in Saturday market and was Mayor of Beverley from 1912-1914.
James was educated at Beverley Grammar school and Hymer’s college in Hull.
James enlisted with the Yorkshire regiment in 1917 as a private and was then transferred to the east Yorkshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion. He arrived in France on 21 April 1918 and on the 25 May 918 it was reported in the Beverley Guardian that he had suffered serious spinal injuries. He was transferred to Etaples Military hospital and was visited by his mother and brother Martin. He died of his wounds there on 5 Jun 1918 and was buried in Etaples officer’s cemetery with his mother and brother both in attendance.
James is remembered on the Hengate and on the East Riding memorial in Beverley Minster. He is also commemorated on the Beverley Grammar school roll of Honour.
Includes information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |