MERRICK, JAMES ("Jas") LESLIE
Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser
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Source |
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CWGC |
SDGW |
Uttoxeter Advertiser |
Other |
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Parents |
James Merrick |
Yes |
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Mr. & Mrs. James Merrick |
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6a |
5 |
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Where born |
Newcastle[-under-Lyme], Staffordshire |
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Yes |
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When born |
About 1890 |
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3 |
Address |
50, New Street (parents) |
Yes |
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New Street, Uttoxeter |
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6a |
5 |
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Spouse |
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Children |
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Employment Before Joining up |
Leighton Ironworks, Uttoxeter |
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6a |
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Before the Leighton Ironworks, a porter for some years at Uttoxeter Railway Station |
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6a |
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Where enlisted |
Uttoxeter |
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Yes |
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Formerly served as |
14716, North Staffordshire Regiment |
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Yes |
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14716, 4th Bn, North Staffordshire Regiment |
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5 |
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Regiment at the time of death |
East Yorkshire |
Yes |
Yes |
6c, 6d |
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Unit |
2nd Bn. King’s Own |
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6a |
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2nd Bn. |
Yes |
Yes |
6c, 6d, 6g |
5 |
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Brigade |
83rd |
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6a |
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Rank |
Private |
Yes |
Yes |
6a, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g |
5 |
Service Number |
18322 |
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Yes |
6a |
5 |
Date of Death |
12 July 1915 |
Yes |
Yes |
6a, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g |
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Age at time of death |
25 |
Yes |
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26 |
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6a |
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Where Killed or died |
Ypres salient |
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6a |
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Kemmel |
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6a, 6e, 6f |
5 |
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France/Flanders |
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Yes |
6a |
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How he died |
Killed in Action |
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Yes |
6a, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g |
5 |
Location of Grave or Memorial |
Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery - Grave J.35. |
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Uttoxeter Town Cemetery |
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5 |
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Awards |
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Son of James Merrick, of 50, New St., Uttoxeter, Staffs. James Sr. was employed at Messrs. Walker’s timber yard6a.
50 New Street, Uttoxeter, where the Merrick family lived |
His brothers Alfred and George also served5, and Alfred, also fell6e. Alfred has his own record in our research.
Before the war he worked at the Leighton Ironworks6a, and before that he was employed at Uttoxeter Railway Station as a porter for some years6a.
He served with the Uttoxeter Territorials for 4 years6a and it was only in the early part of 1914 that he completed his term of service6a.
Within a few weeks he enlisted with the East Yorkshire (King's Own) Regiment6a. Here, his earlier training with the Territorials found him a place amongst the seasoned troops and within a few months he was at the front, where he fought in many engagements6a.
He was a grenade thrower6a and is likely to have met his death when engaged in this hazardous duty6a.
He died in Kemmel6a at the age of 251 or 266a.
James’s obituary was published in the Uttoxeter Advertiser6a a little over a week after he died. This stated that his mother had heard of his death through a letter sent to her by the Chaplain with the 84th Field Ambulance, 28th Division. The letter was dated 14th July 1915 (two days after James had died):
Dear Mrs. Merrick,
If you have not already received the official confirmation, it is my very sad duty to write and tell you that Private James Merrick, 18322, of the 2nd King’s Own, was killed in action on the 12th, and that I buried him yesterday in the beautiful English cemetery at Kemmel. I do not know what relation you are to him, but I realise something of the greatness of your loss, so I write not only on behalf of his own officers and men, but of the whole brigade, to convey to you our sincere sympathy in your loss – the great sacrifice you have been called upon to make. He has fought and died nobly for God, for King and for Country.
His comrades have erected a cross to his memory. I pray that God may comfort and help you all in these hours of your sorrow and sacrifice.
Once again my deepest sympathy
Yours faithfully
H. V. Farnfield, Chaplain to the 83rd Brigade.
At the time of James’s death his two brothers were serving with the Uttoxeter Territorials6a – Alfred in France and George at Harpenden6a. James’s obituary6a pointed out that these were the only sons eligible for the army and it was a striking commentary on the part the family was taking in the great struggle. The article also highlighted that the eldest daughter’s husband, Private Upton, had also died in the service of his country6a. Fred Upton has a record of his own in our research.
The memorial notices which follow were all posted in the Uttoxeter Advertiser to mark the anniversaries of his death:
This was posted in July 19166c tto mark the first anniversary of his death |
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This was posted in July 19176c to mark the second anniversary of his death |
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This marked the third anniversary of his death July 19186f |
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The fourth anniversary was marked in this way6g |
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