Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1898 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/210,
the son of Ann Royle.

1901 Census - Cross Street, Ashton Upon Mersey.   Nephew - aged: 3 - born:
Ashton upon Mersey.   Head of household Elizabeth Royle - Widow - aged: 60
- born: Stretford.  Plus her son and daughter-in-Law and a Boarder.   With
James was his elder sister - Hilda (6) and his younger brother Charles H.
Royle (1).

1911 Census - 4 Albany Terrace, Cross Street, Ashton on Mersey.   Son - 13
- occ: School Newsboy - born: Sale.   Head of household - Ann Royle -
Married - aged: 34 - occ: Laundress Dryer - born: Stretford.   Plus - 3
younger siblings.

Albany Terrace no longer exisits - it was on the approach to Crossford
Bridge roughly where "City Gate" now stands.

Attended All Saint's School at Ashton on Mersey.

I have no idea when James enlisted, but the 2nd Battalion was formed in
August 1914 at Pembroke Dock. They entrained for Southampton on the On the
5th September 1914 they moved to Lyndhurst and came under orders of 20th
Brigade in 7th Division. They landed at Zeebrugge the 6th October 1914. If
James went with them on that date, then he was only aged: 16.

"British Battalions on the Western Front" states that they took over the
front line trenches at Givenchy on the 3rd June 1915. Moved to Les
Harisoirs on the 5th, to Marias on the 12th, to Gorre on the 13th, where
they went back into the front line trenches.

One of the thousands of "boy soldiers" (under 18), who should not have been
at the front.

Killed by a shell that fell into the trench. Death reported in the
22/06/1915 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1916.