No.7637, Private, James STEADMAN
Aged 23
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James Walter Steadman was born in Soham on 21st June 1891 (Newmarket Q3-1891 3B:515), baptised in Soham on 22nd July 1891, son of James and Julia
STEADMAN (née BROWN) of East Fen Common, Soham.
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at 3 Qua Fen Common, Soham with his father James STEADMAN [37]; his mother Julia [35]; sisters Florrie [15], Kate [12], Rose [5] and Maud [2]; brothers Ellis [14] (field worker), Thomas [8] and Walter [11 months].All were born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 22 (actually 20), he was a private in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment at Longmoor Camp, East Liss, Hampshire.His parents were at Paddock Street, Soham with his sisters Rose, Maud, Maggie [10] and Caroline [8]; brothers Ellis (shoe maker), Walter and Hector [5]. The new siblings were all born in Soham. His nephew Jim Steadman (son of Ellis), serving in the London Scottish Regiment, was killed in Italy in 1944. see here |
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He attested on 26th November 1906 for the Cambs Militia (4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment). He add to his age, giving it as 17 years 5 months, a labourer
born and living in Soham,next of kin father James and mother Julia of Qua Fen Common, Soham. He was working for Ellis Taylor in Ely. 5 feet 3.25 inches (160.6 cm)tall,
he weighed 110.5 lbs (50.1 kg), chest 30" to 32.25 " (76.2 to 81.9 cm), brown eyes, brown hair, Church of England. Accepted on 25th March 1907, and joined the Suffolk Regiment on
29th November 1907.
The 1st battalion, Suffolk Regiment had been stationed in Egypt and returned to England in October.They spent some time in Lichfield, then Felixstowe before going to Winchester prior to going to France in January 1915. In early February they were in the Ypres Salient, billetted near Ouderdom. on the afternoon of 15th February the Germans attacked, and at one point succeeded in piercing the divisional front line. Two battalions of the 85th Brigade delivered a counter attack which was only partially successful. The 1st Suffolk were therefore order up to take over some temporary trenches south of Ypres and west of the canal which those two battalions had occupied. These so called trenches were banks scarcely offering cover from view and mostly waist deep in water, overlooked and enfiladed, they were actually untenable. On 18th February 1915 the 1st Suffolks,having been alternatively holding water filled trenches or trying to capture 'O' trench, just south of Ypres, were relieved and went to billets in Kruistraat. The reason for 28 to be listed as killed on 18th would have been that some of the missing when the roll was called, were later presumed dead. Of the 28 only 5 have known graves. The Bury Free Press of 20th March 1915 reported:- SOHAM SOLDIER KILLED - Mr. and Mrs James Steadman of East Fen Common have received official notice, from the War Office, that their son Prvt.James Steadman was killed in action and buried in the trenches south of Ypres.Prvt. Steadman, who was 24 years of age, had served in the Suffolks for seven years, and had spent eighteen months of that time in Egypt. He spent a few days last December with his parents in Soham. They received news some time ago that another son, Corpl.Tom Steadman, was a prisoner in Germany.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
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