WORKING NOTES

Born c1892, Preston, Lancs. Parents - John (foreman Shipbreaking Yard)

1901 -

1911 -

At Neath on Friday, Gertrude Rees (18), of Giants Grave, Britonferry, summoned James Read, a cutter, formerly employed at Messrs. Ward's yard, and now a lance-corporal in the Royal Field Artillery, stationed at Cambridge, to show cause &c. Mr Mervyn Hill appeared for complainant, and the paternity was denied. Complainant said they had been courting for two years, and walked out together frequently. Defendant was ordered to pay 3s. 6d. a week for 14 years.

Herald of Wales, 22/5/1915 (Newspapers.,com)

1921 - Married Gertrude Rees, 2/5/1921, Register Office, Neth. Occ-Burner Shipbreaking Yard. Add-8 Pill Terrace, Giants Grave.

1921 - Riverside House, Giants Grave. 29y6m. Occ - Oxy Cety? Burner of Scrap Steel, JW Ward & Co Ltd, Briton Ferry. W wife Gertrude & son (crossed out but prob Emys)

1939 - Family still in Neath (Gertrude & 3 children). No sign of James R

19 - Died aged

No SR

Likely pre-war Territorial (age and TWM)

Likely 2nd Battery (from Briton Ferry)

Embodied Aug 1914

Cambridge May 1915 from newspaper

Transferred from Welsh Howitzers to 68th DAC.

- Surviving records point to 2 transfers of men, the first on 2 September 1916 and the second, a week later on 9 September 1916.

Renumbered 745503

Saw active service, BWM & Vic

Awarded TWM (so signed Imperial Service Papers, but was not sent abroad with Brigade in 1915)