James Knowles

Gunner 100721 James Knowles

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery 165th Heavy Bty

Date of death: 2nd January 1917

Buried in Lumb (Providence) Baptist Chapel lower graveyard

Address: Forest Holme, Lumb

Next of Kin: Mr & Mrs Peter James Knowles (parents)

James' parents received a letter to say that he was in Glasgow Royal Infirmary having been seriously wounded on the Somme and would they go to him. Whilst making the arrangements to travel to Glasgow the official letter arrived to say that he had died. James enlisted in the autumn of 1915 and had been in France for some considerable time.

His body was brought from Glasgow and the funeral took place at Lumb Baptist chapel with the pastor Rev. Edwin Foley conducting the service. The funeral was not of a military character and blinds were drawn as a mark of respect along the route of the funeral cortège from his parent's home. A number of boy scouts followed the dead soldier to the grave and at the conclusion of the internment played the Last Post.

Source: Rossendale Free Press 06.01.1917 p.8; 13.01.1917 p.3 includes photo