Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Johnson Eade, a blacksmith, born 1867 in Farringdon, Hampshire and his wife Alice Eade (nee Green, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Alton, Hampshire district), born 1862 in Market Overton, Rutland. James Alfred was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Alton, Hampshire, his siblings were, Ethel, born 1891, Alice, born 1892, Cecil Edward, born 1893, Evelyn Sarah, born 1896, George, Ernest, born 1898 and Ellen Elizabeth, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Alton, in March 1901 the family home was at 8, Mount Pleasant Road, Alton, Hampshire. In March 1901 James was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Fleckney Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire together with his mother and siblings, Ethel, a hosiery trade linker, Alice, a hosiery trade seamer, Cecil a hosiery trade worker, Evelyn a hosiery trade worker, George, a hosiery trade worker and Ellen, a schoolgirl. After the war, James’ brother Cecil Edward Eade, resided at 28, Archibald Road, Lozelles, Birmingham, Warwickshire.
James attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 10th August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as All Saints, Alton, Hants., his age as 19 years and 285 days and his trade or calling as hosiery hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his brother Cecil Edward Eade and his sister Alice Eade, both of Fleckney Road, Kibworth, Leics., as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 111 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 32½ inches. His hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes, His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 10th August 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 11494 on the 10/8/14. Commenced recruits training on the 10/8/14. Transferred to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 15/8/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 4/1/15. Reported missing after operations between the 10–13/3/15. Reported as having “Died” for official purposes in the field on 10-13/3/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 10/8/14 – 3/1/15, 147 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/1/15 – 13/3/15, 69 days. Total service 216 days. James was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by James’ sister Alice Eade on the 29th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by E. S. B. Fletcher, Clerk in Holy Orders, Kibworth Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Full blood brothers of soldier, Cecil Edward Eade, age 26 of Fleckney Road, Kibworth, Nr. Leicester, George Ernest Eade, age 21 of 28, Minet Avenue, Harlesden, N.W.10. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ethel Eade, age 28, Alice Eade, age 27, Evelyn Sarah Eade, age 23 and Ellen Elizabeth Eade, age 19, all of Fleckney Road, Kibworth, Nr. Leicester. A memorandum from the Officer in Charge of Infantry Records Office, Lichfield, dated the 27th February 1918 and contained in James’ record reads:- I am directed to inform you that any medals which may have been, or may eventually be awarded in respect of the services of the soldier described in the margin (No. 11494, Private James A. Eade, 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment) now deceased, should be retained on behalf of the deceased’s soldiers brother now serving as No.297482, Gunner C. E. Eade, 157th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, until his return from Active Service. James’ surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-15 - All in position by 5.00am 10th March. At 7.30am the artillery bombardment commenced and at 7.45am C Coy followed by D Coy moved up by communication trench to the northern position of eastern face of PORT ARTHUR. At 8.05am B and C Coys advanced each Coy having two platoons in front line closely supported by the other two platoons in 2nd line. The advance was carried out at a steady double. The first line of enemy’s trenches was carried and the advance was continued over several other enemy’s trenches and communication trenches reaching the final objective (line P.O. to road) at about 5.20am. B Coy occupying that position of German trench extending from P. to the line joining D and 5 and C Coy on their right extending through O. to the road. Two platoons from each A and D Coys had supported B and C Coy in third line. The D Coy platoons occupied the houses about D. and covered C Coys rear and finally moved up on C Coys right joining C Coys to road D.N. Meanwhile owing to the 1st/39th edging off to their right a gap of about 200 yards of the first German trench been unaccounted for and this position was still held by Germans who moved down trench opposite our right. Two parties endeavoured to dislodge them from trench to north of wired house and from wired house opposite our right. One platoon of D Coy from Reserve under Capt ROMILLY succeeded in bombing them back down trench eventually up to within 20 yards of wired house, here a barricade was built and with two reserve platoons of A Coy was held until the SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS advancing from our left took the line. (The Coys in the front line at once commenced improving the German trench and reversed the parapet). About 5.00pm, the enemy endeavoured to retire north eastwards but with the 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS attacking from the west, the 3rd LONDON REGT. from the south west and the fire of A Coy enfilading them they raised the white flag and surrendered. About 80 prisoners were taken. About 3.40pm orders were received that the left of our advanced line was to swing round to P. to connect with 2nd/3rd GURKHAS this had already been done. At 3.45pm information received that the DEHRA DUN Bde was going to pass through to attack the BOIS DE BIEXZ and that GARWHAL Bde would remain on line T.P.O. and consolidate position. At 5.15pm Front line of I.A. Corps. from left to right 2nd/39th – 2nd/3rd – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. – 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS – 3rd LONDON REGT. – 1st/39th – up to this hour the right flank of forward line by road had been in the air. About midnight 10th/11th March the 2nd/39th were withdrawn and attached to the DEHRA DUN Bde.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-15 - The DEHRA DUN Bde advanced as far as the BOIS DE BIEZ but before dawn withdrew and dug themselves in. The 2nd/2nd GURKHAS digging a trench 100 yards in front of the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS trench and the 2nd/39th coming into that portion of our line held by C and ½ of D Coys. The trench dug by the 2nd/2nd made 60 yards of trench on my left, which was occupied by B Coy and faced north, of no account as this portion of the trench flanked the line held by the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. The ½ of A Coy in front line was withdrawn to D. at dusk. During the night 11th/12th March the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS were withdrawn and the trench was left unoccupied.
The War Diary records: 12 Mar-15 - The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm.
The War Diary records: 13 Mar-15 - Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b. to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.
On Friday May 21st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base, under date 2nd May:-
WOUNDED.
Second Battalion.
Baxter, 6259, Private J. E.
WOUNDED AND MISSING.
Second Battalion.
Bates, 5440, Private A.
MISSING.
Eade, 11494, Private J. A., Wileman, 10098, Private J.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – Mr. Cecil Eade and the Misses Eade, of Kibworth, have been notified that their brother, Private Jim Eade, who joined the colours at the commencement of the war, has been missing since the battle of Neuve Chapelle. He was a popular member of the Kibworth S.S. football team.
On Wednesday January 17th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL ROLL OF HONOUR” – James Eade, Leicestershire Regt., officially reported killed after being missing since March 13th 1915. Sisters live in Fleckney Road, Kibworth.