No. 13922, Lance Corporal, James William LYES D.C.M.
Aged 29
James William Lyes was born in 1889, (Newmarket Q1-1889 3B:527), baptised at St Stephen, Higham on 17th February 1889, son of James William and Eliza LYES
(née COCKERTON).
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Broom Pin, Lower Green, Higham with his father James W LYES [30] farm labourer, born Higham; his mother Eliza [26] born Gazeley; brother Bertha [5 months] and grandmother, widow, Sarah Lyes [61] born Barrow and uncle George R LYES [19] farm labourer born Tuddenham. His sister Rachel [4] born Higham, was staying at Mill Road, Gazeley with grandparents Edward and Harriet COCKERTON. 1901 census...Aged 12,he was at Newmarket Road, Tuddenham with his parents, sister Rachel [14] born Higham, brother Bertie and brother Edward [7] born Higham. In 1908 (4th qtr Bury St Edmunds 4a:1757/) he married Ada Maria SALE [28-3-1887]. They had three children:- Margery Ethel [11-4-1909], Arthur James [13-10-1911] and Gladys Winifred [5-2-1917] 1911 census...Aged 22, he was with the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards at Grosvenor Road, Westminster, London. His parents were at Desnage Lodge, Higham with his brother Edward. On the pension card his widow and children were at Cavenham, that was deleted and Barrow inserted. His younger brother Bertie was killed on the Somme in 1916, and is commemorated on the Cheveley memorial . see here |
He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. His medal card shows he missed the award of the 1914 Star by 24 hours! The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads :- 123922 Private J.W. LYES, 5th Bn.,G.Guards (formerly 2nd Bn.,) LG 11 Mar.1916). For conspicuous gallantry when advancing through a shower of bombs up an enemy trench. He greatly contributed to our success by untiring and accurate bomb-throwing throughout the night, both in the advance and during the enemy's counter-attack. On another occasion, when in reserve, he volunteered to go forward and help the company holding the barricades, and was severely wounded while doing so.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission apparently also commemorated on the Cavenham memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |