James arrived in France on the 16/12/1914. The 1st (Lowland) Field Company were part of the 1st Division. The Battles of the Somme, 1916 : 1st of July - 18th of November 1916 : the Somme. A Franco-British offensive that was undertaken after Allied strategic conferences in late 1915, but which changed its nature due to the German attack against the French in the epic Battle of Verdun, which lasted from late February to November. Huge British losses on the first day and a series of fiercely-contested steps that became attritional in nature. James' Division took part in the Battle of Albert, 1st - 13th of July 1916 and the Battle of Bazentin (or the Bazentin Ridge), 14th - 17th of July 1916. SEE PHOTOS FOR THE 1st (LOWLAND) FIELD COMPANY WAR DIARY JULY 1916. The War Diary states the 1st (Lowland) Field Company were in Les Brebis (Maroc Sector) from the 1st July until the 3rd. From the 4th July they were in Lapugnoy before moving to Montonvillers on the 7th then Frechencourt from the 9th July to the 11th. On the 12th July they marched to Albert where they stayed until the 18th. From the 19th July to the 21st the 1st (Lowland) Field Company carried out work on the Becourt - Contalmaison Road. James was shot whilst wiring, and his Officer searched for a Doctor to attend to him, and thereafter he was taken by 6 Sappers to the Dressing Station. 1 of the men of his Section wrote regarding his loss - "He has gone now and we will miss him, In a foreign land he lies, But his great heroic spirit, Is with God above the skies". James' grave photo was donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. James is also remembered on the Middle United Free Church and St. Augustine's Parish (book) Rolls of Honour and on the Moffat War Memorial (see photos x 2). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, James was reburied in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery (see reburial form). Also see photos for James' Pension Records x 2, Dantzig Alley British Cemetery and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge. James' grave inscription reads "FONDLY REMEMBERED". Finally, see photos x 6 for Newspaper clippings (Coatbridge Express x 4, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1) and the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).
