James, John Stephen Harvey
James, John Stephen Harvey, Lieut., King's Royal Rifles. Entered Guy's as a medical student 1912. Joined the forces 1914 (Artists' Rifles). Killed in action, Rue de Bois Richebourg l'Avone, May 16th, 1915.
J. S. Harvey James - the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Quintus S. H. James of Coneyboro' Shanklin (late of Mill Hill) - was educated at Colet Court and St. Paul's School. He entered Guy's Hospital Medical School in 1913, after Matriculation. He had passed his First M.B. when war broke out. Some months before, he had joined the Artists' Rifles, and was mobilised with many other Guy's men in that Regiment immediately. He left for France with the 1st Batt. Artists' Rifles in October, 1914. There he passed through the Artists Rifles Officers school in Bailleiul, and in March, 1915, was gazetted the 1st Batt. of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (2nd division). He joined them direct from the school. Was with his battalion until his death at night May 15th-16th 1915. He was killed at Rue de Bois, Richebourg l'Avone in a successful night attack. He fell with many of his riflemen in the final assault on the parapet of the German trenches.
By his stout heart and modest cheerfulness under all conditions he had earned universal popularity.
His many friends in the Artists' and at Guy's will always remember "Jimmy" the ever cheerful with the never failing sense of humour. Guy's Hospital Reports Vol.LXX, War Memorial Number
His Commanding Officer wrote: "He was under me all the time he was with us. He was always cheerful, imperturbable, and a thorough soldier. He died very bravely: "and Major Armstrong: "Your boy had actually reached the German trench when he was killed. We all deplore his loss." De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918
Biographical
| Surname(s) | James |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | John Stephen Harvey |
| Family details | Son of Quintus Stephen Harvey James, of Croft Lodge, Mill Hill, London N.W. |
| Previous education | Colet Court and St. Paul's School |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1913 |
| Dept / course | M.B. London |
| Military unit | King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1st Bn. |
| Date enlisted | 1914 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Date of death | 16 May 1915 |
| Age at death | 21 |
| Rank at death | Second Lieutenant |
| Place of death | Rue de Bois, Richebourg l'Avone |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Burial place | Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial |
| Sources | Guy's Hospital Medical School Records, King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918 |