Lives of the First World War

Emlyn James is on the right, in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

Young men ready to enlist in the Herefordshire Regiment. Emlyn James is in the front row, kneeling, bare-headed: standing at the left are Tom Edwards (bare-headed) and his brother Frank (wearing a hat). Emlyn James enlisted at Hereford on 9 September 1914.

On back of photo: (Printed) CARTOLINA POSTALE, Carte Postale (Handwritten) J.E.James, 51 Albert Street, Pentre, Rhondda - this may have been a temporary address while he was looking for work after the war, as his home was in Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire. It seems to have been pinned to something else in the past.

This entry is from the autograph book of Batchie Griffiths of Llandovery, whom Emlyn James married in 1923.

In uniform. Writing on the back of the photo, in Emlyn James' hand, has been partially erased, but the following is visible: Love from Emlyn D [partially erased] 1/1 [partially erased] 1/7/15

Dog tags

Dog tag, text: J. E. JAMES BAPT 235733 1/1 HEREFORD

Dog tag, text: J. E. JAMES BAPT 235733 1/1 HEREFORDS

Emlyn James with his daughter Gwen, at Woolaston, in the Forest of Dean, near Lydney, Gloucestershire

Card announcing the marriage of Batchie Griffiths and Emlyn James, and giving their address at The Eyrie, Llandrindod Wells.

Document stamped on 4 February 1919 at Dispersal Hospital, Millbank, SW1, London, and on 17 March 1919 at Knighton, Radnorshire

Back row: Bert Addington, Ted James, Bromage Front row: Em James, A Vale, Evan Morris (?), Lord Muck (sic), T Edwards Emlyn James is wearing a lance-corporal's stripe, so the photo must have been taken in December.

This shows the 1st battalion coming past the Newmarket clock tower on a training route march in April 1915

Letter of 20 September 1918 from the War Office to Sir Francis Edwards, MP for Radnorshire Dear Sir Francis, I am requested by Mr. Macpherson [Secretary of State for War] to acknowledge your letter of the 16th instant, concerning 235733, Sergeant J. E. James, 1st Herefords, B.E.F. Mr. Macpherson has made careful enquiries into the case and finds that the above Non-Commissioned Officer has been reported as wounded on the 4th of September. Notification will now have reached his next of kin. Up to the present no further information has been received regarding him, but enquiries will be made if a hospital report does not arrive soon. Yours faithfully, D. D. Roseway Private Secretary Sir Francis Edwards, Bart., M.M., The Cottage, Knighton, Radnorshire

From the Brecon and Radnor Express of 16 September 1915 ANXIETY RELIEVED.—Mr T. L. James has received a letter from his son, Pte. Emlyn James, who is serving with the 1st Herefords at the Dardanelles. When he wrote, Emlyn was fit and well.

It was over a month after the Suvla landings that the first letters from men on Gallipoli began to be published in the Brecon and Radnor Express, among them one from Emlyn James. STICKING IT LIKE REGULARS." Pte. Emlyn James, of the 1st Herefords, writ ing to his father (Mr T. L. James, of Llandrindod Wells), says he is all right. At the time of writing he was in reserve trenches, about two miIes from the firing line, but was expecting to be moved forward in a few hours. Proceeding, he says we have now got quite used to the shell fire, and are sticking it like Regulars.

Testimonial showing that Emlyn James worked at E. J. Collier & Co, ironmongers, of Alexandra Rd, Abertillery, before the war.

Photo taken in Llandrindod, probably circa 1909. Emlyn James is at top right, Clifford Powell lower right, Jim Bufton lower right. All three worked at Powell's ironmongers in Llandrindod. The other two are unidentified but may also have worked at Powell's.

A list of the officer, non-commissioned officers and men of the Herefordshire Regiment mentioned in dispatches by Sir Archibald Murray, KCB, for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. The original list appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette of 12 January 1918. Source: Herefordshire War Diaries January 1918, on line at http://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/index.php/war-diaries/

Notification of the officers and other ranks mentioned in dispatches did not reach the regiment until 13 Feb 1918, when they were preparing to take Jericho. Source: Herefordshire Regiment War Diary, at http://herefordshirelightinfantrymuseum.com/index.php/war-diaries/

Discharge documents - medical report. Gunshot wound to face (destruction of frontal sinus) and right buttock.

Letter of thanks to all members of the Special Constabulary in Gloucestershire, who had served during the first month of its operations, ie from 22 August 1939.

Recognition of membership of the Home Guard from 25 January 1941 to 31 December 1944.

Photo of officers of Pembrokeshire Guard, date unclear