Gristwood, J H
JAMES HENRY GRISTWOOD
Remembered with honour Redan Ridge Cemetery No. 2: Row B, Grave 97.
He originally enlisted 18 January 1904 at Stratford, London, in the Highland Light Infantry for Short Service (3 years with the Colours, 9 years in the Reserve): a printer aged 18, 5’9″ tall, C of E. Was appointed Lance-Corporal 11 October 1904, and permitted to extend his service to complete 8 years with the Colours 14 October 1904. Was promoted Corporal 20 May 1906, appointed Lance-Sergeant 26 September 1910, and promoted Sergeant 30 May 1911. He transferred to the Reserve 4 January 1912.
Following the outbreak of World War One he was recalled and served in France 24 March till 9 May 1915, during which time he suffered a gun shot wound to the left leg, and spent time in the No. 1 Canadian Hospital, Wimereux. Was at Home 10 May till 29 September 1915, during which time he was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant 20 July 1915, but reverted to Sergeant 27 September 1915. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion 30 September 1915 and went to France again 30 September 1915. He re-engaged for such term as would complete 21 years service 22 May 1916. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 25 March 1915, and was killed in action.
Son of Jesse and Sarah Ann (nee PARKINSON) GRISTWOOD of Beckton, London; husband of Mary Jane Cameron (nee BATHGATE) GRISTWOOD of Walthamstow, Essex.
His parents married 31 May 1884 at St Mark’s, Deptford, London. Sarah died 11 February 1954 in Billericay, Essex, aged 92, and was buried 19 February at St Mary the Virgin, Langdon Hills, Essex; Jesse died 1955 in the Braintree, Essex, district aged 93.
James was born 1885 in Lambeth, London, and baptised 20 September 1885 at St Thomas’, Lambeth. He married 22 January 1909 in West Ham, Essex; they had three children. Between stints in the Army, James was a Midland Railway Policeman. Mary never remarried, and died 1967 in the Brentwood, Essex, district aged 82.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1891 Census, he lived in East Ham, Essex, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, a printer’s labourer aged 15, he still lived in East Ham, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive.
- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)