DEARSLEY, James



No 1343, Lance Corporal, James DEARSLEY
Aged 32


5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died on Saturday, 21st August 1915


James Dearsley was born in Northfleet, Kent according to "Soldiers Died". A mystery man since his birth registration has not been found either in North Aylesford or Strood, nor any trace in any census. There are however DAISLEY, DASELEY and DASLEY in Strood with mother's maiden name of HICKFORD.This makes it extremely likely that James was registered in North Fleet in 1883 (North Aylesford Q1-1883 2A:539) son of George and Elizabeth DASELY (née HICKFORD). Both parents were born in Clare. It is likely he had brothers George Robert Q4-1889(infant death) and George Robert DASELEY 1893, Thomas Henry DAISLEY Q2-1898, Charles Stanley DAISLEY Q1-1899 and sisters Ethel DASLEY Q1-1887, Ellen Daisy DASELEY Q4-1891,Beatrice DASELEY Q4-1894 Lily DASELEY Q2-1896 Parents both Clare born, married in Northfleet in Q4-1879

1891 census...Aged 9, James DASLEY (born Northfleet) was lodging in Clare at Cavendish Lane with John and Emma MANSFIELD. here were two other lodgers, Sarah Hewson [85] and Alice HOSE? [4]

1901 census...He may well be the labourer in the cement works, John Dasley [8] born Northfleet and lodging with the MARTIN family (another family originating in Clare) at 7 Wood Street, Northfleet. Possibly his brother Thomas DEARSLEY [3] was at Common Street, Clare. Recorded as born Northfleet and grandmother widow Elizabeth HICKFORD (née MARTIN)

1911 census...Aged 28, as DAZLEY,a bricklayer's labourer, he was at Cavendish Road, Clare, lodging with the Mansfield family with widow Susannah HICKFORD as another lodge. Apparently his brother Thomas DEARSLEY [13] was at Common Street, Clare. Recorded as born Northfleet and grandmother widow Elizabeth HICKFORD (née MARTIN)

Now the pension cards are on line, more facts become available and his mother was recorded as Elizabeth DAISLEY, although his father is DEARSLEY and brother? Walter Thomas is DAISLEY on the same card.(70329 Notts and Derby Regt - died 27.12.1917 and is buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN P. V. H. 3B.). The parents address is 33 College Street, Northfleet Kent.


He enlisted in Clare. His number suggests enlistment in around 1911/1912. He also must have enlisted the same time and died on the same day as Harry Martin see here



The History of the Suffolk Regiment by Lt Col Murphy gives the impression that it was a quiet spell in Reserve with some sniping and shell fire, but the CWGC records have 53 men dying that day, only one has a known grave. In that theatre of war, disease was as likely to kill as enemy action and James' record shows 'died' rather than 'killed in action'

The pension card records him missing on 28-1-1915, his brother Walter Thomas (Pte 70329 Notts & Derby Regt, as dying of wounds on 24-12-1917

His medal index card has not been found, but he obviously qualified for "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred".
There can be some confusion here as Thomas Riding of the Suffolk Regiment is also recorded with No.1343. Apparently the 4th, 5th and 6th battalions each had their own numbering system, starting at 1 in 1908 until 1917 when they all went on to the 6 digit numbers.


James Dearsley is commemorated on the Helles memorial, Turkey panels 46/47

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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