Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Flint, a bus driver, born 1860 in Cold Newton, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Flint (nee Willis, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), born 1851 in Leamington, Warwickshire. James was born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Harry Robert, a pie maker, born 1880 in Lenham, Kent and John, born 1886 in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at Norman Street, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 James was residing in the family home at 9, Norman Street, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry, a pie maker, John, a hotel domestic servant and Frank, born 1896 in Melton Mowbray. In the 4th quarter of 1910 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, James’ mother died aged 60. In April 1911 James was employed as a barman and was residing in the family home at 17, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his widowed father, a general labourer and his brother Harry, a pork pie maker.
James attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 17th November 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his full address as the White Lion Hotel, Melton Mowbray, his age as 26 years and 30 days and his trade or calling as bar man. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Harry Flint of 17, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 126 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His physical development was described as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 23265 on the 18/11/15. Posted to the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 18/11/15. Transferred to Rugeley Camp on the 4/12/15. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 8/6/16. Disembarked Boulogne on the 8/6/16. Joined the 37th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 9/6/16. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/6/16. Proceeded to join the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 21/6/16. Joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 22/6/16. Reported missing in action, in the field on the 14/7/16. Reported as being buried by Reverend C. R. Spencer, Attached Royal Canadian Dragoons, Canadian Cavalry Division, 2/2nd Cavalry Division at Northern Position of Mametz Wood, 1¾ miles North, North East of Mametz, 4½ miles East, North East of Albert. Left of road running North to South. Refer to Map Sheet 57D. Square X.18.a. Probable date of death 21/7/16. James was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by James’ father Harry Flint on the 28th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, J.P., 39, Burton Road, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Harry Flint of 17, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Two brothers abroad. John Flint, age 34 of Back Mill, Melton Mowbray. James’ surviving service documents are in 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: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETTS party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies) Between 9.00pm and 11.00pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 - BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT. At 2.00am Battalion ordered to go back to centre of MAMETZ WOOD by 8.00am. At 8.00am arrived at rendezvous. At 9.00am ordered to return to original post. At 9.45am reached original line with slight losses. The day was spent in clearing the wood and organising Companies. At 9.00pm 2nd Lieutenant SARGEANT and 20 men went to dig themselves in at the North Western edge of the wood. They arrived at position but were isolated with a barrage of rifle grenades behind them and are believed to have all been killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 16 Jul-16 - BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT. Same as preceding days. Rations arrived safely which they had not done before and men got food and rum and became a little less exhausted. At 3.00pm 2nd Lieutenant LEE and 1 platoon went to forward railway line behind 2nd Lieutenant SARGEANT in support of the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT they endeavoured to find 2nd Lieutenant SARGEANT’S party but failed. At 5.30pm Captain BENT with “D” and “B” Companies went to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT village to relieve 2 Companies of the 98th Infantry Brigade. Orders received that we would be relieved by 64th Infantry Brigade. Relief was very slow owing to the great mixing up of units. On the 16th/17th July the last party relieved and reached bivouacs near FRICOURT at 11.00am 17th July. Casualties in the Battalion during operations 14th/17th July, 18 officers and 394 other ranks.
The War Diary records: 17-19-Jul-16 - FRICOURT. At 7.30pm 17th July Battalion and Transport marched to RIBEMONT arriving at 1.00am 18th July. Cleaned and rested.
The War Diary records: 21 Jul-16 - CROUY. 9.30pm Cleaned and rested. Moved by motor lorry (Transport by road) to LONGPRE (bivouac). Last party arrived 2.00am 22nd July.
On Friday September 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTON CASUALTIES. PTE. J. FLINT. Mr. H. Flint, 17, Egerton-road, Melton Mowbray, who is employed at the Army Remount Depot, received an intimation from the War Office on Wednesday, that his son, Pte. J. Flint, had been killed in action, after having the previous week been reported missing. Deceased was employed at the White Lion Hotel, and was home on first leave a short time ago, before proceeding to the front. His brother Jack is in the army, and his brother Frank is in the Navy. Another brother, Harry who lives in Leicester has been rejected owing to ill health.