Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1894 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref:
8c/681, the eldest son of James & Matilda Eve (nee Mather).

1901 Census - 5 Vicarage Road, Irlam.    Son - aged: 6 - born: Ellenbrook,
Lancashire.   Head of household - James Eve - Married - aged: 31 - occ:
Candle Maker - born: Walkden, Lancashire.    Also - Matilda Eve - Wife -
aged: 31 - born: Little Hulton, Lancashire.  Plus 1 elder and 2 younger
siblings.

1911 Census - 5 Astley Road, Irlam, Manchester.    Son - aged: 16 - occ:
Apprentice Fitter - born: Ellenbrook, Lancashire.   Head of household -
James Eve - Married - aged: 41 - occ: Candle Maker - born: Walkden,
Lancashire.   Also - Matilda Eve - Wife - aged: 41 - born: Little Hulton,
Lancashire.  Plus 1 elder and 5 younger siblings.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with the 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Edinburgh), The Royal Scots,
101st Brigade, 34th Division.

He was born in Boothstown, Lancashire and lived with his parents, James and
Matilda Eve, at 5 Astley Road, Irlam.   He had two brothers: Harry and
Stanley, and five sisters: Alice, Annie, Edith, Ethel and Matilda. Before
the war he had worked as a fitter for the Manchester Ship Canal Company.

He enlisted on 5th January 1915 at Manchester, aged 20 years and 2 months.
His service record describes him as 5 foot 2 ½ inches tall. He originally
applied for the Royal Engineers but as there were no vacancies he joined
the Royal Scots.

On 7th January 1915, James arrived in Edinburgh and joined the 18th
(Reserve) Battalion, Royal Scots, with whom he did his training. On 14th
September he transferred to the 15th Royal Scots, who were known
unofficially as the "Manchester Scottish" due to a great many being from
the Manchester, Salford and outlying areas.    On 4th November, whilst in
training at Sutton Veny, James committed a discipline offence of not
complying with a battalion order and was punished with two days confined to
barracks. On 30th November, whilst still at Sutton Veny, he committed
another offence of inattention on parade, and was punished with three days
confined to barracks.   On 8th January 1916, he embarked with the battalion
from Southampton, and disembarked the same day at Le Havre, France.   In
preparation for the assault on La Boiselle, tunnelling teams had dug under
the German lines and placed explosives under key points.

At 7.28am on 1st July two huge mines were exploded:   'Y' Sap on the German
frontline just to the north of La Boiselle, and Lochnagar to the south.  
Three smaller mines were also exploded in front of the Glory Hole Trench.
Unfortunately the huge amounts of earth deposited by the mines made it very
difficult for the attacking British troops to cross through no-man's land. 
 In addition, the intense artillery bombardment failed to dislodge the
German machine-gun emplacements.   As a result of the mine detonations, the
Germans knew that an attack was imminent and were ready to defend their
positions. In the south of the sector, the 15th Royal Scots made their way
up Sausage Valley, followed closely by the 16th Royal Scots. The Royal
Scots suffered heavy casualties from fire from La Boiselle with the first
wave of the 15th Royal Scots suffering 80% casualties and the 16th Royal
Scots 50%. James was one of the many soldiers killed in action during the
Royal Scots attack on La Boiselle on Saturday, 1st July 1916.   He served
on home service from 5th January 1915 until 7th January 1916 (1 year 3
days) and then France from 8th January 1916 until his death (176 days).  
Medal Entitlement: Pair.