James Jabez Gregory

A Private with the 8th Battalion, James died on 17th of February 1917 at the age of 26.

James was born at Lowestoft on 2 September 1890, a son of John Thomas and Jane Gregory. James’ parents both came from Cornwall. In 1891 his family lived at Machere Villa, Beaconsfield Road, Lowestoft. From 1895 James attended Kirkley School. By 1901 they were living at 130 Beaconsfield Road, and this was still their home in 1911 when James worked as a plumber. Later his mother lived at 41 Salisbury Road, before moving to Hayle, Cornwall. 

James enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 25105. He was posted to France to serve with the 8th Battalion. 

On 15 February 1917 the 8th Battalion moved from Varennes to trenches near Thiepval. At 5.45 a.m. on 17 February the battalion were involved in an attack known as the Battle of Boom Ravine. Soon Grandcourt Trench line was captured, despite some confusion in the attack and the enemy shelling. While Grandcourt Trench was being consolidated the battalion pressed on to Coffee Trench, where the enemy was firmly established through to Boom Ravine, and the battalion was subject to considerable machine-gun and rifle fire. Uncut wire caused casualties and held up the advance. On the right the advance was held up by three machine-guns east of the Ravine. The efforts of Second Lieutenant Walker and Sergeants Eaves and Rose meant that these machine-gun positions were dealt with and several prisoners taken. Number Two platoon was able to advance beyond Coffee Trench, to position R.10.d.47, which gave them a good field of fire over the Ravine. By about 8 a.m. the battle had virtually ended and consolidation and clearing up began. 

The battalion’s casualties were:
Officers: three killed, three wounded
Other ranks: 22 killed, three died of wounds, 91 wounded, 11 missing

James was killed in action on 17 February. He received a battlefield burial and after the war his body was found at map reference 57.D.R.11. In 1919 he was reburied at Regina Trench Cemetery.