James Brooke Ormerod

Private 49632
13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment

James Brooke Ormerod was the son of Benjamin and Cassandra Ormerod (née Brooke), of Sandywood, Pendlebury.

At the time of the 1901 Census, James was living with his parents and brother at Sandy Wood, Pendlebury. Their details are recorded as follows.

At the time of the 1911 Census, James was boarding as a farm pupil at a farm in Morland and Bolton, Westmorland.

James was attested on 13 December 1915, and was enlisted in the Army on 4 March 1916.

He embarked from Southampton on 7 September 1916, and disembarked in Rouen the following day, joining his Battalion - 13th Cheshire Regiment - on 17 September 1916.

James was killed in action on Sunday 8 October 1916, and - following enquiries they made - his parents were later told that on this date his Battalion "were in a position at Bouzincourt (W.8.Central) and Hessian Trench (Mouquet Farm Sector). Holding front line. Artillery active, both sides. Casualties to other ranks 4 killed 2 wounded."

At this time 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (Wirral Battalion) formed part of 74th Brigade, 25th Division.

James' brother, Alfred Ormerod, was also killed during the First World War, and is buried in Wancourt British Cemetery.

James is buried in the Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, France (Grave Ref. IX. C. 15).

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that James was born in Clifton, and enlisted in the Army in Glossop, Derbyshire.

There is a memorial to James and his brother, Alfred, on the family grave in Glossop.