Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Biddles a gardener and seedsman, born 28th December 1850 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th July 1852 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough and his wife Sarah Ann Biddles (nee Gaskin, married on the 24th February 1874 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire), born 1851 in Kegworth, Leicestershire. James Henry was born on the 7th September 1875 in Loughborough, his siblings were Ellen Mary, born 1878 and Edith Mary, born 7th November 1880, both siblings were born in Loughborough, in April 1881 the family home was at 63, Ashby Road, Loughborough. In April 1891 James was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at 6, Albert Place, Loughborough, together with his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Ellen, a schoolgirl, Edith, a schoolgirl and Beatrice Maria, schoolgirl, born 13th February 1883 in Loughborough. In March 1901 James was employed as a brick packer and was residing in the family home at 5, Market Street, Loughborough, together with his wife Sarah Biddles (nee Beck, married on the 14th November 1896 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire), born 1878 in Nottingham and his children, James Henry, born 1897, George Thomas, born 20th July 1898 and Thomas, born 1901, all the children were born in Loughborough. In April 1911 James was employed as a brickworks labourer and was residing in the family home at 32, King Street, Loughborough, together with his wife, and children, James, a brickworks, labourer, George, a schoolboy, Thomas, a schoolboy, Beatrice Ellen, born 1904, William, born 1906, Edith, born 1908 and Alfred, born 28th September 1910, the latter four children were all born in Loughborough. They also had another son, Ernest Emmanuel, born 1913 in Loughborough. James’ father died in 1893 in Loughborough, aged 42 and his mother died in 1905 in Loughborough, aged 54. His son James Henry fell in action on the 13th October 1915.
James enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 28th October 1914 in Loughborough, and was allocated the service number 3015. He gave his place of birth as Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 35 years. Marital status as married and his trade or calling as labourer.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 3 inches in height, weighed 154 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Sarah Biddles, 15, King Street, Loughborough.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At Loughborough. 28/10/14.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Private. 28/10/14.
Embodied Service commenced. 28/10/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed. Havre. 27/2/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. Unpaid. In the Field. 22/5/15.
Killed in action. 20/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 28/10/14 - 27/2/15. 123 Days.
France. 28/2/15 - 20/7/15. 143 Days.
Total Service. 266 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
James’ surviving service record amounts to a total of fifteen pages and these are in fair condition, and offer a reasonably accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 20 Jul-15 - ZILLEBEKE. Normal.
On Saturday 24th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – Mrs. Biddles, of 15, King-street, Loughborough, has received a letter from her son, Private Biddles, of the 5th Leicester’s, stating that his father, Pte. JAMES HENRY BIDDLES, of the same battalion, has been killed in action. Private Biddles, senior, was at home on leave as recently as last Saturday, and had to return to France on Sunday night. He leaves a large family.
On Thursday, August, 12th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Lance-Corporal BIDDLES, of the 1/5th Leicester’s, was killed in action about the middle of July, on the day he returned to the trenches after a week-end furlough in Loughborough. His widow with eight young children, lives in King-street, Loughborough. He has a son in the same battalion.