Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Benjamin James was born on 5 December 1882, to Harry and Elizabeth Earl of 39 Gold Street, Wellingborough.

On the 1901 census, the family had moved to 79 Gold Street, Harry was a furnace labourer and Benjamin was a leather curer’s apprentice.

On 4 June 1906, Benjamin married Emma Florence Beale at Wellingborough and they lived at 57 Alexandra Road. By 1911, they had moved to 34 Bedale Road; Benjamin was a leather currier* and they had a daughter, Phyllis Ena, aged one. *the currier dresses, finishes and colours the tanned hide which is then used for saddlery, bridlery, shoemaking and glovemaking. www.curriers.co.uk

Benjamin joined the 1st Battalion Northampton Volunteer Corps on 16 January 1898, aged 17 years, and served with them until 31 March 1908. He joined the Northamptonshire Regiment Territorial Force from 1 April 1908 and continued re-engagement until signing on with the 2/4th Northamptonshire Regiment at Peterborough on 11 May 1915. On 10 January 1918, he transferred to the 51st Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment at Clipstone Camp. He served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 1 April 1918 to 6 February 1919 and was promoted to Corporal. From 25 August 1918, he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request. He was demobilised on 7 March 1919, and was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

In the 1939 Register Benjamin and Emma were living at Middleton in Lancashire and Benjamin was described as a ‘musician – oboe player’. Benjamin died in March 1961, aged 78.