James Arthur Holliday

A Private with the 7th Battalion, James died on 30th of November 1917 at the age of 23. 

James was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a son of Samuel and Emma Holliday. In 1901 his family lived at 102 Denmark Road. By 1911 they were living at 53 Beccles Road, and James was a draper’s apprentice. 

James enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 2460. Later he was renumbered 40982 and posted to the 7th Battalion in France.  

On 20 November 1917 the 7th Battalion were involved in an attack on the Hindenburg Line, part of the Battle of Cambrai. On 30 November the battalion were in the reserve at Quarry. A German counter-attack broke through the divisional right and meant they would attack the rear. On that day the battalion’s headquarters and A Company were surrounded and captured with 13 officers and 219 men reported missing.  

James was reported missing on 30 November. By July 1918 it was concluded that he had been killed in action on or since 30 November 1917.