Pte
James Plant
Information about birth
|
Date of birth: 09/02/1891 |
|
Place of birth: Three Bridges, Sussex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
|
Last known residence: Battersea, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
|
Profession: Railway carriage cleaner |
|
Religion: Church of England |
Army information
|
Country: England, United Kingdom |
|
Force: British Expeditionary Force |
|
Rank: Private |
|
Service number: 2991 |
|
Enlistment place: Walham Green, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
|
Units: — London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 3rd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 14/04/1915 |
|
Place of death: Broodseinde, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
|
Age: 24 |
Cemetery
|
Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: Unknown Grave: Mem. 16 |
Distinctions and medals 2
|
British War Medal Medal |
|
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
James Plant was the son of John Siggee and Louisa Plant. He was born on 9 February 1891 in Three Bridges, Sussex. Before the war, he lived in Battersea, Surrey, and worked as a wagon cleaner. James enlisted in the British Army and was part of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (85th Brigade, 28th Division).
James was killed in action on 14 April 1915, in the lead-up to the Second Battle of Ypres. On 13 April, the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers moved into trenches near Broodseinde, where they were only four yards away from the German troops. Two days later, on 15 April, the battalion was relieved and moved to the area of Sint-Jan. During those 48 hours, the German troops made use of a large trench mortar. This caused heavy damage and many casualties. However, the artillery failed to neutralize the weapon. In those 48 hours, 33 men were killed and 39 wounded.
James was originally buried at Zonnebeke British Cemetery No.2, along the road between Zonnebeke and Broodseinde. At that site, German troops had buried 38 Britons, including 20 men of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The cemetery was dismantled after the war and the graves were transferred to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Today, James still rests there under a special memorial.
James was killed in action on 14 April 1915, in the lead-up to the Second Battle of Ypres. On 13 April, the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers moved into trenches near Broodseinde, where they were only four yards away from the German troops. Two days later, on 15 April, the battalion was relieved and moved to the area of Sint-Jan. During those 48 hours, the German troops made use of a large trench mortar. This caused heavy damage and many casualties. However, the artillery failed to neutralize the weapon. In those 48 hours, 33 men were killed and 39 wounded.
James was originally buried at Zonnebeke British Cemetery No.2, along the road between Zonnebeke and Broodseinde. At that site, German troops had buried 38 Britons, including 20 men of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The cemetery was dismantled after the war and the graves were transferred to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Today, James still rests there under a special memorial.
Sources 3
|
3 Battalion Royal Fusiliers. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2279/3). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
|
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
|
East Sussex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1915. https://www.thekeep.info/ Sources used |
More information 3
|
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464302 |
|
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/cdba4f11-c3df-4c39-a513-9e58b1e1ab34 |
|
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3533856 |