Lives of the First World War

James McElmeel Pte The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 94672 Died: 24-02-1919 age 19 *** James was the son of Patrick and Ellen McElmeel of 17 Seaville Street, Chester. Patrick was a bricklayer. By 1911 the couple had been married for 21 years and ten children had been born to them, of whom five had died in infancy. The surviving children were Thomas, John, James, Felix and Elizabeth Rose. James was born on 25 November 1899 and baptised at St Werburgh’s on 3 December that same year. James was also confirmed at St Werburgh’s in 1910. After war broke out it seems that Thomas, John and James enlisted. Because of his age, James’ enlistment would have been towards the end of the war and his papers have not survived, so we have little direct information about his army career. James also has no medal roll card, which indicates that he was not sent abroad. He would actually have been too young to be so sent. At this time his parents were living at 13 Steam Mill Street, Chester. James died in this country and was buried in Overleigh Cemetery Grave 1186. His grave is marked by a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

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