Additional Information
The Battalion were in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, India in August 1914. They were recalled to the UK and landed at Avonmouth on the 10/01/1915. They came under command of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. Moved to Rugby. In March 1915 they sailed, going via Egypt, and landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on the 25/041915. James arrived in Gallipoli on the 30/04/1915. During the initial landings around Cape Helles on the 25/04/1915, 1st Inniskillings went ashore at X Beach. It then fought almost continuously throughout the nine-month campaign, taking part in successive Battles at Helles to capture the village of Krithia and the heights of Achi Baba, all of which ended in hard-fought failure. During the Gallipoli campaign, 267 men of the Battalion were Killed in Action, or Died from Wounds or disease (such as dysentery), 79 were posted missing, and some 1,001 were wounded or evacuated sick, some of whom did return to duty. Their initial strength had been 990, and they received 1,205 replacements. Only 2 officers and 118 other ranks survived the entire campaign unscathed. Named 'the Incomparable 29th Division', the Division's flash was an Ace of Diamonds halved, and The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers wore the red flash behind their cap badge to commemorate service with the Division at the Battle of Scimitar Hill, Gallipoli. In support of the adoption, General Beauvoir de Lisle, who had commanded the Division in Gallipoli, wrote in 1922 : 'It pleases me more than I can express to know that the 29th badge is to be used by your Battalion for no unit set a finer example than the 1st Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers". James' death at Gallipoli was not confirmed until December 1916. James was a Drummer in the Rosehall Pipe Band. James is listed as SIGNALLER and ROYAL IRISH RIFLES on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the Coatbridge Baptist Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1, James' Pension Record and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Cap Badge.
