James Pierce was born in 1891 at Oswestry. He was the second child and only son of James and Ellen Pierce. James had 1 elder sister, Lilian, and 2 younger sisters, Edith and Sarah Violet. His father was a painter and decorator. The family lived at 3 Welsh Walls. His mother died in December 1903, and is buried at Oswestry Cemetery. By 1911 the family were living at 17 Arundel Road. Sister Lilian was working as an elementary school teacher. Edith and Sarah were still at school; James was working as a house painter. He was a keen boxer and was well-known at clubs around the district.

James enlisted in December 1914 at Newtown, giving his residence as Oswestry – it is possible he was working in Newtown, however. In 1915 he married a local girl, Sarah Elizabeth Owen, and they would live at 1 Park Street (5 Park Terrace, Llanidloes Road) in Newtown. They would have a child, also named James, born in September 1916. James joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was posted to the reserve battalion. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in April 1915, but reverted to being a private shortly afterwards; after going overseas he was promoted back to Lance Corporal. He left for Egypt in December 1916, arriving at Alexandria on 26 December and being posted to D Coy 7 Bn RWF, joining the battalion on 7 January 1917. The battalion was in action during the advance into Palestine. In June 1917 James was wounded with a gun shot wound to his thigh, but he returned to duty soon afterwards. Between 3-7 November 1917 the battalion were in action during The Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe. James was listed as wounded and missing on 6 November 1917 and later on was declared KIA. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial; his name is also recorded on the War Memorial at St David’s Church in Newtown and at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

KIA same day and action – Captain Edward W Walker, 1/7 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. KIA 06 November 1917, Beersheba War Cemetery

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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