Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur James Hakes, a leather mill labourer, born 1859 in Maltby, Yorkshire and his wife Ellen Hakes (nee McCamley, married in the 4th quarter of 1888 in the Keighley, Yorkshire district), born 1869 in Middlesborough, Yorkshire. James Arthur was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Lincoln, his siblings were, Maggie, a schoolgirl, born 1889 in Lincoln, William, a schoolboy, born 2nd November 1893 and baptised on the 8th February 1894 in the parish church, Syston, Elizabeth, born 1896 and baptised on the 8th October 1896 in the parish church, Syston and David, born 29th December 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Syston, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was in Bath Street, Syston. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a leather trade worker and was residing in the family home at Turn Street, Syston, together with his father, a leather trade worker, his mother and siblings Maggie, a shoe trade worker, William, a leather trade worker, David, a schoolboy, Eliza Ellen, born 1901, Rose Mary, born 1903 and baptised on the 23rd October 1903 in the parish church, Syston, Thomas, born 1906 and Annie, born 1910 and baptised on the 24th May 1910 in the parish church, Syston, the latter four siblings were all born in Syston. In the 4th quarter of 1914 in the Leicester district, James married Ada Gregory, Ada was born on the 29th October 1884. In the 2nd quarter of 1923 in the Leicester district, James’ widow married Nathan Moore. In 1939 Ada was residing in the family home at 22, Rendell Road, Leicester together with her husband Nathan, a tailor, born 18th August 1878 and their son Stanley C. Moore, a butcher, born 21st May 1913.
James was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 3 Oct-18 - MAGNY LA FOSSE. 6.05am. Barrage starts. Attack entirely successful and all objectives captured including village of MONT - BREHAIN. 8.30am. Battalion received orders to move up in support of 137th Infantry Brigade and occupy captured German front line. Battalion moved off in artillery formation, “A” Company (PETCH) right supported by “B” Company (HAWLEY), “D” Company (CORAH) left supported by “C” Company (BANWELL) total fighting strength about 245 all ranks. 9.15am. As Battalion was approaching LEVERGIES message received that it was still uncertain in whose hands SEQUEHART was. By the time any action could be taken “A” and “C” Companies were already on line of SEQUEHART – PRESELLES ROAD (SUNKEN) where they remained, as this provided the only cover in the neighbourhood. The “FONSOMME” LINE was only cut to a depth of 6 inches with Machine Gun emplacements at intervals. “D” Company were too far left, so was brought across to form a defensive flank 300 yards on the north side of SEQUEHART village. “B” Company remained in reserve on LEVERGIES – PRESELLES ROAD. Battalion Headquarters on bank of railway line LEVERGIES – JONNESCOURT about 750 yards east of former village, with Battalion Headquarters of 5th Battalion SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT (WHITE). Greatest difficulty experienced in obtaining any accurate information with regard to SEQUEHART, but by 11.00am village certainly in our hands because it was heavily shelled by the enemy. An enemy 77mm battery about 700 yards south of the village fired point blank at “C” Company in the sunken road which it almost enfiladed. 2.00pm. Owing to late arrival of Cavalry 137th Brigade were unable to hold the enormous front that they had gained without help, and enemy was still holding the commanding position of DOON HILL from which he swept whole area with heavy Machine Gun fire. 3.00pm. “A” and “D” Companies ordered to attack DOON HILL, formed up on PRESELLES – SEQUEHART ROAD North of “C” Company. Preliminary reconnaissance carried out in spite of enemy’s fire but the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel J. L. GRIFFITHS, Captain D. B. PETCH, M.C. and 2nd Lieutenant A. J. MACE were all wounded. Lieutenant S. CORAH and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. CHRISTY were both killed. ½ “A” Company (DENNIS) got as far as just south of high ground on SEQUEHART – RAMICOURT ROAD, ½ “A” Company (EDWARDES) were prevented from starting. Both parties dug trenches in where they were. “D” Company (C.S.M. COOPER) were left without an officer and had no instructions, so dug in 200 yards south east of PRESELLES FARM. 5.00pm. Enemy’s counter-attack re took MONT BREHAIN. The Adjutant Captain J. D. HILLS assumed command of the Battalion. 6.00pm. In order to meet further counter attacks, should they develop, “B” Company (HAWLEY) sent to occupy high ground on RAMICOURT ROAD. Lieutenant S. G. H. STEELE took over command of “D” Company but was at once wounded in the leg, however he managed to continue at work. 8.30pm. Dismounted Cavalry came up to assist in holding the line. Enemy shelled at once very heavily, C.S.M. ANGRAVE, “C” Company very badly wounded. Everybody expected enemy to make further counter-attacks but none materialised and night passed quietly, rations and water all sent up. This is the third consecutive day on which the Cavalry have been waiting for a “break” and have had to return unsuccessful.
On Friday October 25th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. HAKES. – Killed in action, Oct. 3rd, Pte. J. A. Hakes, Leicester’s, dearly beloved husband of Ada Hakes, and dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. Hakes, Syston.