WW1 Casualty: Lance Corporal 240726 James Frederick Airey - Lance Corporal 240726 James Frederick Airey
| Unit/Regiment |
2nd/5th Bn., attached 172nd Infantry Brigade, South Lancashire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
09/04/1918 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Ploegsteert Memorial
Panel 6 & 7 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Airey, of 2, School Hill, Windhill, Shipley, Yorks. |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
John and Marrion Airey (31 and 29), lived at 3 Gaskell's Passage, Prescot. Also there are James (5), Celia (2), John (8), and Sidney (new born).
1911 Census -
John (44) and Marion Jane Airey (38), lived at 6, Chester Street, Prescot along with children James Frederick (15), Celia Jane (13), Arthur Sidney (11), Thomas Edward (8), Ethel (6), Harold (4) and Norman (14 months) |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Prescot |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P003 |
Service Details
The 1914 Electoral Roll entry for James' father. John Airey
The 2nd/5th battalion of the South Lancashire regiment was officially constituted at Liverpool on September 23rd, 1914, principally as a 'second line' unit for the 1st/5th battalion. It proceeded to Blackpool on 11th November to commence its training, although it was severely handicapped in the early days by a lack of uniforms and equipment.
Early in 1915, the battalion was moved to Tunbridge Well sin Kent, forming part of the Central Force for Home Defence, although training was still hampered by the lack of equipment. The battalion consisted of 37 officers and 1,203 other ranks, although a significant proportion of these were for Home Service only. In addition, a high turnover of personnel came about due to the large number of discharges on medical grounds.
In May of 1915, the first draft to replace casualties at the front was called for and 10 officers left immediately for France. A steady drain of men continued until November, when the 3rd/5th battalion was formed to act as a Dept for men who had been evacuated due to wounds or sickness, also supplying drafts to the first line battalion. The second line battalion was now able to form itself into a shape fir for the purpose of fighting.
As 1916 progressed, the battalion remained on Home Service, mainly constructing field fortifications for the protection of London, south of the Thames. In June, however, the battalion was moved to Ashdown in Kent to complete training in preparation for moving overseas. Orders were not received until Christmas 1916, however. Eventually, the battalion entrained at Farnborough on 16th February 1917 for Folkstone. Their departure for France was delayed by fog until the 20th, when they sailed on the s.s. 'Princess Henriette' with a full complement of officers and men.
Their early days in France were mobile, moving from Boulogne to Bailleul, then Oultersteene and finally to Armentieres. Here on 4th March, they moved into the front line trenches for the first time, relieving the men of the 2nd/4th battalion. At this time, Armentieres was a 'quiet' sector and so the battalion passed the month of March suffering few casualties.
The battalion moved constantly around the front line areas throughout the remaining months of the year, ultimately moving into front line trenches in the Houthulst Forest sector on Christmas Day under constant German harassing fire. On 27th of December, 'B' and 'C' companies were relived in preparation for a raid on Turenne Crossing, north of Poelcapelle. They went back to Baboon Camp for training for the assault, planned for the night of 30th/31st December. The operation had been carefully rehearsed and was scheduled to start at 8 p.m., supported by artillery, machine guns and mortars. Snow was lying thickly and the raiders were instructed to wear white shirts over their uniform.
The companies advanced at zero hour under a creeping barrage. The artillery was effective and little resistance was encountered, with all the objectives being taken and the line being advanced by 200 yards. However casualties were suffered with 2 officers and 17 other ranks killed and 13 wounded.
On New Year's Day 1918, the battalion was back in the familiar town of Armentieres where it remained until mid-January. They were then sent into the extremely uncomfortable trenches of Houplines, but the Germans were also as uncomfortable and so a relatively quiet period ensued.
The story of the battalion is almost complete. In late January, they were informed that they were being disbanded due to Army reorganisation and this took place at the beginning of February. There are no surviving records to show where L/Cpl Airey was redesignated. All that is known is that he was killed in action on 9th April, probably as part of the German Spring offensive. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
L/Cpl Airey's inscription on the Ploegsteert Memorial
James Airey's Medal Index Card
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