Joyce, James
The sad official intelligence was received from the War Office by Mr. And Mrs. M. Joyce, of 152 Darlington Street, East Wigan, on August 30th., that their eldest son, Second Lieutenant James Joyce, of the 9th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action at the Dardenelles on Sunday August 22nd, 1915. The deceased officer, who was a single man and 22 years of age, obtained his early education at St. Patrick's School, Wigan, under the late Mr. James Dorans. Leaving there he spent twelve months at the Jesuit College, Leigh, but on the latter being given up he became a pupil of the Wigan Grammar School for four years. Having decided to adopt the teaching profession, he obtained a position at St. Mary's, Wigan, as student teacher, and later at the Warrington Lane Council School as assistant master, after which he became a student at King's College London University, two years ago, and successfully matriculated there at the end of his first year. During his stay at King's College, he was a member of the College O.T.C. When the war broke out he was on vacation but immediately offered his services to the country, and at the end of August he was granted a commission in the 9th Lancashire Fusilier, whom he joined on September 7th last year. After undergoing the usual training he sailed with the regiment to the Dardanelles on June 4th, and saw some very heavy fighting in the days that followed, including that around the famous Achi Baba. As stated however he met a soldier's death on Sunday, August 22nd.
Second Lieutenant Joyce was a successful athlete both at the Wigan Grammar School and at the London University. At which latter place he obtained his colours for tennis and football. He obtained high popularity amongst his fellow officers and men of the regiment, whilst in Wigan and especially amongst the congregation of St. Patrick's and of the Young Men's Society, his loss is felt by all to be a personal one, the numerous letters of sympathy received by his parents being evidence of this. King's College Review
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Joyce |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | James |
| Date of birth | 1892 |
| Place of birth | Wigan |
| Family details | Son of Martin and Mary Ann Joyce, of 152, Darlington St., Wigan |
| Previous education | St. Patrick's School, Wigan; Jesuit College, Leigh; Wigan Grammar |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1913-14 |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Arts |
| Military unit | Lancashire Fusiliers.9th Bn. |
| Date enlisted | 7 September 1914 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | Gallipoli |
| Decorations / medals | 15 Star, British War and Victory Medals |
| Date of death | 22 August 1915 |
| Age at death | 22 |
| Rank at death | Second Lieutenant |
| Place of death | Dardanelles |
| Cause of death | Killed in action at Gallipoli |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel; Helles Memorial |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Soldiers Died in the Great War |