James Coffield

Died of Wounds on the 08/07/1916 received at Hohenzollern sector, Vermelles

James arrived in France on the 20/07/1915 and joined the 8th (Service) Battalion in the field on the 29/09/1915. The 8th and 10th (Service) Battalions amalgamated on the 11/05/1916 and were part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. From the Battalion War Diary - "On the 06/07/1916 the Battalion relieved the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 45th Brigade in the centre sub section of the HOHENZOLLERN sector. The Battalion had held these trenches on a previous occasion vis from May 19th - 31st. We now found their trenches in a dilapidated state and far worse in every respect than they were when we last handed them over. It was obvious that now real work had been put into them at all". SEE PHOTOS x 7 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY EARLY JULY 1916. James' main Grave photo was sent to me by his Granddaughter Betty. The Poppy Cross was left on her behalf by her friend Robin Shields. See photos for another one of James' grave. James is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) and Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Vermelles British Cemetery, the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge, James' Pension Records x 2 and his Service Record x 10. James' grave inscription reads "MOURNED BY HIS LOVING WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN". Finally. see photos for Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour plaque, James listed on the British Tube Works panel of the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour plaque x 2, another photo of James' grave, Newspaper clippings x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1), Vermelles British Cemetery taken by myself in July 2023, Poppy Cross placed by myself at James' grave July 2023 x 2, Poppy Crosses x 9 placed by myself at Vermelles British Cemetery before I left for France in July 2023 (James' Cross in the centre), PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION BOOK JULY 1916 and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division who he was with when he died).