Other Information:James was a member of the Darwen Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade who offered their services for the front. He enlisted on 8th August 1914, then proceeded to Aldershot. [Information courtesy of Tony Foster] He was 22 years and 2 months old, and was a timekeeper by trade. He entered the war in France on 22nd August 1914. He appears to have been attached to the 14th Field Ambulance, however, on 18th October 1914, he was posted to serve with No 6 General Hospital by No 3 Base Depot. He returned to the UK to get married on 1st January 1916 but was back at his unit the next month as he was admitted into his unit on 26th February 1916 due to a problem with his finger. He was discharged from hospital on 7th March 1916. On 26th May 1918, he entrained in France and was posted to serve in Italy, arriving on 29th May. He was posted to serve with the 24th Casualty Clearing Station as part of a surgical team. He remained there until 24th January 1919 when he proceeded to England for demobilization. He was transferred to the Reserve - Class Z on 22nd February 1919. James was the son of John Thompson and Betsy Richards; and the husband of Mary Richards [Nee Kelly].
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