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James William Binns
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1897 |
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Place of birth: Brigg, North Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Brigg, North Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Errand boy |
Army information
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Country: Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 30229 |
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Enlistment place: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Devonshire Regiment, 9th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Gheluvelt Wood, Geluveld, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 20 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LV Row: C Grave: 14 |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #5 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
James William Binns, a former errand boy, was born in the year of 1897 in Brigg, North Lincolnshire in England, The United Kingdom. He was the son of George and Jane Binns and had 7 siblings.
James William enlisted fairly close by his living area (Brigg), in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. He would later serve as a private in the 9th battalion Devonshire Regiment, part of the 20th brigade, of the 7th division.
In the final days of October 1917, the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment,(part of the 20th Brigade in the 7th Division), prepared for a major offensive near Gheluvelt. While stationed at Westoutre, the battalion conducted rehearsals from October 20 to 22, supplemented by routine activities including a football match and inspections. On October 23, they relocated to Scottish Wood, South West of Ypres, and the following day were transported to Shrapnel Corner, marching on to trenches opposite Gheluvelt by nightfall.
On the night of October 24–25, the battalion relieved elements of the 5th Somerset and 5th Rifle Light Infantry. No. 4 Company occupied the front line, No. 2 Company provided close support, while the rest were held in reserve. During the relief, No. 2 Company sustained 27 casualties from shellfire. The night and following day were relatively quiet.
At 5:40 AM on October 26, under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, the battalion advanced with No. 1 and No. 2 Companies leading, No. 3 mopping up, and No. 4 in reserve. Although initial reports indicated progress, strong German resistance from fortified positions like Lewis House and Swagger Farm stalled the attack. Troops faced intense flanking fire, and boggy terrain rendered weapons ineffective.
By 8:00 AM, forward elements were forced to withdraw toward the railway cutting. Reinforcements from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers helped stabilize the line, but by evening the Devons were pulled back to reorganize. The operation had made temporary gains into Gheluvelt, but German counter-attacks, difficult terrain, and enfilading fire resulted in a withdrawal to original positions by day’s end.
Private Binns, aged 20, was Killed in Action on the 26th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Gheluvelt Wood, Geluveld at 28.J.22.a.00.00. The private’s remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LV, Row C, Grave 14.
James William enlisted fairly close by his living area (Brigg), in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. He would later serve as a private in the 9th battalion Devonshire Regiment, part of the 20th brigade, of the 7th division.
In the final days of October 1917, the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment,(part of the 20th Brigade in the 7th Division), prepared for a major offensive near Gheluvelt. While stationed at Westoutre, the battalion conducted rehearsals from October 20 to 22, supplemented by routine activities including a football match and inspections. On October 23, they relocated to Scottish Wood, South West of Ypres, and the following day were transported to Shrapnel Corner, marching on to trenches opposite Gheluvelt by nightfall.
On the night of October 24–25, the battalion relieved elements of the 5th Somerset and 5th Rifle Light Infantry. No. 4 Company occupied the front line, No. 2 Company provided close support, while the rest were held in reserve. During the relief, No. 2 Company sustained 27 casualties from shellfire. The night and following day were relatively quiet.
At 5:40 AM on October 26, under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, the battalion advanced with No. 1 and No. 2 Companies leading, No. 3 mopping up, and No. 4 in reserve. Although initial reports indicated progress, strong German resistance from fortified positions like Lewis House and Swagger Farm stalled the attack. Troops faced intense flanking fire, and boggy terrain rendered weapons ineffective.
By 8:00 AM, forward elements were forced to withdraw toward the railway cutting. Reinforcements from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers helped stabilize the line, but by evening the Devons were pulled back to reorganize. The operation had made temporary gains into Gheluvelt, but German counter-attacks, difficult terrain, and enfilading fire resulted in a withdrawal to original positions by day’s end.
Private Binns, aged 20, was Killed in Action on the 26th of October 1917. He was initially buried near Gheluvelt Wood, Geluveld at 28.J.22.a.00.00. The private’s remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LV, Row C, Grave 14.
Sources 12
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9 Battalion Devonshire Regiment war dairy (The National Archives, WO 95/1656/1). https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/346228 Sources used |
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Ancestry 1911 census : Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2352/records/22300196 Sources used |
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Ancestry.com. UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61588/records/21071999?tid=&pid=&queryId=bea54e98-be94-4266-88ea-3e26505c34c6&_phsrc=gTE9&_phstart=successSource Sources used |
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Ancestry.com. UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5119/records/4742084 Sources used |
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Army Medal Office (In the Care of the Western Front Association Website); London, England; WW1 Medal Index Cards https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1262/records/4219593 Sources used |
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England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8912/records/31980998 Sources used |
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Lives of the First World War : We remember James William Binns (346228) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/346228 Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p.143-144. Sources used |
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Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1543/records/246362?tid=&pid=&queryId=bea54e98-be94-4266-88ea-3e26505c34c6&_phsrc=gTE9&_phstart=successSource Sources used |
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National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 725501-727000; Reference: 435 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60506/records/701182 Sources used |
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The long, Long Trail : Devonshire Regiment. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/devonshire-regiment/ Sources used |
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The Wartime Memories Project : 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, Wartime Research https://wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=501 Sources used |