Family Information
Son of Michael and Bridget Wilson Rice of 14g Kirk St, Coatbridge. Husband of Mary Rice of 26j Sunnyside Rd, Coatbridge. Father of 3 children. From the 1891 Census - Address - 253 Herriotts Row, Coatbridge - Bridget Rice aged 21, James Rice aged 3 months, boarders Bernard Carr aged 50, Elizabeth Carr aged 45. James' Pension was awarded to his mother Bridget Rice and then to his wife Mary Rice. Mary remarried and became Mrs Mary Smith of 8 Calder Avenue, Whifflet, Coatbridge.
Additional Information
On the 11/05/1915 the Battalion became part of the 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 26/05/1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Egypt (5th - 28th June) and Mudros (1st July), landing at Cape Helles on the 3rd July. On the 08/01/1916 they were evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros and arrived in Egypt in February. James left for battle on the 13/07/1917 and arrived in Alexandria on the 29/07/1917. He entered the battlefield with his Battalion on the 11/08/1917. The Battle of Nebi Samwil and El Jib (17th - 247th November) was fought during the decisive British Empire victory at the Battle of Jerusalem between the forces of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Ottoman Empire's Yildirim Army Group during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. James was Wounded in Action as the allies tried to capture Jerusalem from the Ottoman forces. The 157th Brigade casualties : 157th Headquarters - 2 Other Ranks Wounded, 1/5th Highland Light Infantry - 2 Other Ranks Killed or Died of Wounds, 1 Officer Wounded, 8 Other Ranks Wounded, 1/6th Highland Light Infantry - 3 Other Ranks Killed or Died of Wounds, 1 Officer Wounded, 30 Other Ranks Wounded, 1/7th Highland Light Infantry - 27 Other Ranks Wounded, 1/5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - 14 Other Ranks Killed or Died of Wounds, 1 Officer Wounded, 49 Other Ranks Wounded, 157th Machine-gun Company - 1 Other Rank Killed or Died of Wounds, 9 Other Ranks Wounded. Considering the shellfire directed on this Brigade, these losses were very small, and are explained by the effective use of artillery formation and the poor quality of percussion shrapnel used by the Turks. The total loss of 700 was heavy for such a weak Division. The British had secured a footing within the keep of the great fortress of the Judean Highlands, holding its topmost tower, Nebi Samwil, the key of the whole situation. The gallant men who took and occupied Jerusalem in December were able to do so because the 52nd (Lowland) Division had maintained its hold on this dominating height when the situation was at its worst. James is also remembered on the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, another 2 photos of James' grave, Jerusalem War Cemetery, his Service Records x 13, James' Pension Record x 4 and the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge.
