Trafford

Born in December 1896 in Buenos Aires, Argentina the elder son of Alfred
Eaton and Emily Jane Eaton (nee Bate) who were married in Buenos Aires,
Argentina in 1894.

1901 Census - "Banighar", Lancaster Road, Didsbury, Manchester.   Son -
aged: 4 - born: Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Head of household - Alfred Eaton
- Married - aged: 36 - occ: Salesman of Dry Goods - born: Burnage,
Manchester.   Also Emily B. de Eaton - Wife - aged: 25 - born Buenos Aires,
Argentina.  Plus 2 sisters and 2 Domestic Servants.

1911 Census - Cranbrook Grammar School, Cranbrook, Kent.  Scholar - aged:
14 - born: South America (British Subject by Parentage).
His parents were by now, residing at "Dalfield", Murieston Road, Hale (8
roomed house).  Head of household - Alfred Eaton - Married - aged: 45 -
occ: Retired Gentleman - born: Fallowfield, Manchester described as a
Lunatic at Age 43.   Also Emily Eaton - Wife - aged: 35 - born Buenos
Aires, Argentina.  Plus 3 siblings, a male nurse (to look after Alfred, who
died less than 4 months later) and 1 Domestic Servant.   Emily completed
and signed the census return.

Attended St. George's C. of Eng. School, the Wadham House School, Hale and
the Cranbrook College, Kent.

Enlisted in the Public Schools Company of the RWF in January 1914 and was
drafted to the front in November 1915.  However, his MIC - states that he
was posted to France on the 3rd December 1915, thereby just qualifying for
the 15 Star.  His WO363 has not survived.

The 16th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers were serving with the 38th Division, 113
Brigade.   They went into the front line trenches between Mametz and Mametz
Wood on the 5th July, but were withdrawn to bivouacs near Carnoy due to
overcrowding in the trenches.  They took over the front line again on the
8th July in readiness for the attack on Mametz Wood that was due to
commence on the 10th.  The 16th Bn's C.O. was killed as he led his men into
the Wood on the 10th.  The Bn fought on until stopped by fire from Wood
Support Trench.  The RWF History states that wave after wave of men were
seen advancing without hesitation and without a break over a distance which
in some places was nearly 500 yards.  James was killed in this attack.

Reported as being missing in the 21/07/1916 edition of the Altrincham
Guardian which states that he was 24 years of age ???  His death being
confirmed in the 04/08/1916 edition of the local newspaper.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Hale Unitarian Chapel
Yard.

His father Alfred, who was listed in the local newspaper as being from
Manchester & Buenos Aires, was born 03/10/1864 and died 21/07/1911 aged 46
years and his mother, Emily died 01/02/1961 aged 85 years.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.