Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Howlett, born 1866 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Howlett (nee Boor, married in the 4th quarter of 1892 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1867 in Baston, Lincolnshire. James was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 James was absent from the family home at 31, Southern Lane, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a railway platelayer, his mother and brother George Ernest, born 1895 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 James was employed as a doctor’s house boy and was residing in the family home at 1, Betts Yard, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a general railway labourer, his mother and brother, George, a grocer’s errand boy. James first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
On Friday February 25th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER WOUNDED. Yesterday morning Mrs. James Howlett, 28, Woodland-avenue, Melton Mowbray, received an official intimation from the Record Office, Lichfield, that her son, Pte. James Howlett, 13231, of the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment had been wounded, and expressing sympathy on behalf of the Army Council. The nature of the wounding and the place where it occurred was not stated, neither is it known to what hospital he had been removed. Pte. Howlett, who is 19 years of age, was in the employ of the Midland Railway Company, as tool carrier when the war broke out. He enlisted at the beginning of Sept. 1914, and has been in France for the last seven months.
The War Diary records: 24-30 Sep-16 - East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. – PRIVATE JAMES HOWLETT KILLED. Mr. and Mrs. Howlett, Woodland-avenue, have been informed that their son, Pte. James Howlett, of the Leicester’s, was killed by a shell on Sept. 25th. Deceased, was only 19 years of age, was employed by the Midland Railway Co., up to the time he enlisted in November 1914.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTONIANS KILLED. – PTE. J. HOWLETT. Mrs. Howlett, 29, Woodland-avenue, has now received confirmation of the death of her son, Pte. J. Howlett, who joined the Leicester’s in Sept., 1914. His platoon officer states that he always found him a keen and willing soldier, and he died doing his duty as so many of our best have done. His comrades and his officer felt that they had lost in him one who was ever ready to do his bit cheerfully, and to help others. Pte. E. Lyles in a letter says:- “He was instantly killed, therefore suffered no pain. He was one of my best pals since he enlisted because he came from the same place, and I have known him since I was a little lad. Like all other Melton Mowbray boys, he did his duty during the 15 months he has been in France. Accept the deepest sympathy from the platoon and all the Melton boys in his company.”
On Friday September 28th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. HOWLETT.- In loving memory of Pte. J. Howlett, aged 19 years, who fell in action in France, Sept. 25th 1916. From Father, Mother, and Brother.
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. HOWLETT. – In loving memory of James Howlett, aged 19, who fell in action in France Sept. 25th, 1916.
From Father, Mother, and Brother (Prisoner of War in Germany).