Lives of the First World War

James Castle; baptised 14 Dec 1886 and born 16 Nov 1886 (column one). Entry is from a non-conformist parish in Morley (now a south-west suburb of Leeds in W Yorkshire). James' father is David Castle a "Miner", his mother is Mary. Baptised by Thomas Mitchell.

Pte James Castle in uniform.

Marriage of James Castle & Mary Alice Payne - 27 Feb 1909 in St Hilda's C of E church, Middlesbrough, N Yorkshire. Marriage Banns were announced on the three Sundays: 7th Feb, 14th Feb & 21 Feb 1909 (marriage date is in the left-hand margin). England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005

The 1911 census finds James Castle & Alice (Payne) in North End, Northallerton, Yorkshire, with two daughters: Alice (aged 1) and Emma (aged 8 months). Alice is a Boarding House Keeper and James is a Carter (Coal).

2/4/08-Attestation in Northallerton, Yorkshire joining 4th Bn. Yorkshire Regt. Term - One Year. To serve in UK, not outside UK unless volunteers to do so. (Had been a Volunteer 1st Bn. Yorks Reg’t). Age: 21 yrs; 10 mths. Born in Northallerton, Yorkshire. Now residing: North End, Northallerton. Previous occupation: a Carter (self-employed).

16th March 1916 -“Re-engagement for the Period of the War” Declaration Form. Written across the form is “Declined to sign”. Capt Sharp. Being married James Castle could choose not to re-engage. However by August James received call-up papers following the Military Service Act of March 1916. Now it was compulsory to re-engage for the Period of the War. (Entries of previous engagements: from 2/4/1908 – for 1 year, a further 4 years and a further 2 years).

ENROLMENT PAPER-ex-Soldier Recalled 29/8/16-James is “Recalled” (hand-written top of the page). This form is his enrolment into 4th Res. Bn Yorks Regt. in Northallerton under the Military Service Act 1916*. Age: 32 yrs - 3 mths. Allotted service No 6241, replaced by No 73620-MGC. Service to date: “8 yrs & 6 days-1/4th Bn Yorks Regt. 349 days in France”. (Residing – 2 Melbourne Yard, Northallerton). Preference for any particular branch? James wrote ASC (Army Service Corps) but was posted to the Machine Gun Corps (with its high fatality rate). This is Conscription so without good reason James cannot decline to sign-as he did in March 1916. (* The Act specified that men from 18 to 41 years old were liable to be called up for service in the army unless they were married, widowed with children, or working in one of a number of reserved occupations. A second Act in May 1916 extended liability for military service to married men, and a third Act in 1918 extended the upper age limit to 51.)

8/1/1919-Ministry of Pensions letter confirming James Castle’s widow & five children to receive pension starting 27 Jan 1919.

4/6/19-Names and Addresses of relatives of James Castle to verify NOK and Pension/Allowances recipients. Includes Names & Births of the 5 children and a brother Jack, in India. The Form was completed & signed by widow Mary Alice, 3 Melbourne Yard, Northallerton, Yorkshire and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.

STATEMENT of the SERVICES of No.66 (James Castle) 11/2/07 to 1/4/08 -- 1st Vol Bn Yorks Regt. (Enlisted 1st Volunteer Bn Yorkshire Regt in 1907-Term 1 year) ANNUAL TRAINING (Yorks Regt 4 Bn.) 1908 July 04-18 – Present 1909 Feb 25 – Re-engaged for four years. 1909 July 03-17 – Present 1910 July 02-16 - Present 1911 Absent 1912 July 07-21 – Present 1913 April 01- Re-engaged for 2 years 1913 July 27 to Aug 10 - Present 1914 July 26 to Aug 03 – Present EMBODIED SERVICE Embodied 4/8/14 1/4th attach: 150 Bgde Machine Gun Co: Total Service to 11/4/16 (date of discharge)-8 years 11 days.

STATEMENT of the SERVICES of No.66 (page 2) 25/8/16-Called up for Service (conscripted) 30/8/16-Posted to Res Bn 4 Yorks Regt 17/4/17-Transferred to MGC (Machine Gun Gorps). Allotted new No: 73620. 27/5/18-MISSING –MGC 50 Bn 27/5/18- Death accepted on or since HOME: 23/8/16-22/1/17 -- 151 Days FRANCE: 23/1/17 – 1 Year 125 Days TOTAL SERVICE TO DATE OF DEATH: 1 Year 276 Days

"The 4th Battalion were moved from Reserve at Beaurieux on the night of the 26th May 1918 to the area just North of Craonne, facing the massed Divisions of the German Seventh Army. When the Germans attacked at dawn on the morning of the 27th the Battalion was heavily shelled and then outflanked on both sides, at least 80 men were killed and most of the rest taken prisoner. Those who escaped retreated on the green line (on the map). The village of Craonne, situated on high ground called the Plateau de Californie, was so badly shelled it was rebuilt elsewhere after the War and today an arboretum grows on the old site" (web site of 1/4 Yorkshire Regt). 87 men of the 4th Yorks Bn were killed, of which 51 were missing and are commemorated on the Soissons Memorial.

18th December 1916 - James Castle Qualified as “Cold Shoer” at the Army School of Farriery, Aldershot. This was a soldier who could re-shoe horses without the use of blacksmith's hot work

James Castle is remembered on the right-hand side here of the Northallerton WW1 memorial outside All Saints church. Here is the link: http://www.ww1-yorkshires.org.uk/html-files/northallerton.htm