James Castle d. 27 May 1918 Flanders, Belgium

- 1918

Name	James Castle [1]
Gender	Male
Census	31 Mar 1901	Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England [2]
	Age: 15y
	Address: North End, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	In the 1901 census James, aged 15, is a "Carter, General" - horse and cart. He is living with his grandmother Mary Castle, a widow aged 69. Mary is the Head of the household and is a Lodging House Keeper in North End, Northallerton. (In 1911 census James and his new wife Alice, are also in North End, Northallerton. Alice is a Boarding House Keeper). Also in the 1901 household is Mary's son George Castle, aged 21. They were all born in Northallerton. After James was killed in 1918 the army NOK Form recorded a "George Castle" as an uncle.
Census	2 Apr 1911	Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England [3]
	Age: 25y
	Address: North End, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	In the 1911 census newly married James Castle is living in North End, Northallerton. He works as a Carter (Coal). This would involve lifting heavy sacks of coal; a capability which led to him being an ideal recruit for the Machine Gun Corps during WW1. James' wife Alice is a Boarding House Keeper-as was James' grandmother in Northallerton in 1901.
Burial	1918	Soissons, France [4]
	Address: Soissons CWGC Memorial, Soissons, France
	James Castle has no known grave. He is remembered at the Soissons Memorial.
Death	27 May 1918	Flanders, Belgium [5]
	James was serving with 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps in Flanders when he was killed.
Person ID	I880	Hannaway
Last Modified	6 Mar 2023

Father	ANO Castle
Mother	Mary Castle
Family ID	F374	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Mary Alice Payne, b. 1889, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England

Marriage 27 Feb 1909 St Hilda's Church, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England [6, 7, 8]

Address:
St Hilda Of Whitby C Of E Church, Clynes Road, Middlesbrough, No

Civil records show James & Mary Alice married in Q1 1909 (Jan/Feb/Mar). The date of marriage is also recorded on James's British Army enrolment records of 1916 (British "Army Form. B.2513" -1916 recruitment). The date is 27 Feb 1909 in "Middlesbro' ". The parish entry records that the Marriage Banns were announced on the three Sundays: 7th Feb, 14th Feb & 21 Feb 1909
Witness Role: Best man Name: Robert Watson
Witness Role: Bridesmaid Name: Florence Anderson

Children

	1. Alice Castle, b. 10 Jul 1909, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	2. Emma Castle, b. 13 Jul 1910, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England d. 2001, Redcar & Cleveland, North Yorkshire, England (Age 90 years)
	3. Nelly Castle, b. 19 Jun 1912, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	4. Elizabeth Ann Castle, b. Between Oct 1913 and Dec 1913, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England d. Mar 1914, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England (Age ~ 0 years)
	5. Annie Castle, b. 12 Nov 1914, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	6. James Edward Castle, b. 20 Feb 1917, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England

Family ID F304 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 17 Aug 2022

Event Map

	Census - Age: 15y,Address: North End, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England - 31 Mar 1901 - Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	Marriage - Address: St Hilda Of Whitby C Of E Church, Clynes Road, Middlesbrough, No - 27 Feb 1909 - St Hilda's Church, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England
	Census - Age: 25y,Address: North End, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England - 2 Apr 1911 - Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England
	Burial - Address: Soissons CWGC Memorial, Soissons, France - 1918 - Soissons, France
	Death - 27 May 1918 - Flanders, Belgium

= Link to Google Earth

Photos » Slide Show		Castle,James_ 4BnYorksRegt &MGC(PeterMcGee) James Castle from Northallerton, N Yorkshire. His daughter Emily married Peter McGee from Slieve Gullion townland, Co Armagh. In 1907 James had enlisted in the "Imperial Yeomanry Volunteer Force" (later-1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment) serving until early 1916. Compulsory conscription followed in August 1916 and James was posted to one of the 4th Yorks Regt Reserve Battalions in the UK. On the 17th April 1917 he was permanently transferred to the 50 Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps with number 73620. He was serving with them, but attached to the 4th Yorks Battalion when he was reported missing presumed killed on the 27th May 1918. Photograph is courtesy Stuart Castle and the website of 4th Yorks Regt. Keywords: Picture
		Castle,Jas &Payne_StHilda'sM'brough_marr1909 Marriage of James Castle & Mary Alice Payne - 27 Feb 1909 in St Hilda's C of E church, Middlesbrough, N Yorkshire. Marriage Banns were announced on the three Sundays: 7th Feb, 14th Feb & 21 Feb 1909 (marriage date is in the left-hand margin). © findmypast.com. England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005 Keywords: Picture
		St Hilda'sChurch_M'brough_CastleJas St Hilda's C of E church, Middlesbrough; an old photograph and a rare internal view. James Castle & Mary Alice Payne married here in 1909. Keywords: Picture
		Castle, James &Payne_1911census The 1911 census finds James Castle & Alice (Payne) in North End, Northallerton, Yorkshire, with two daughters: Alice (aged 1) and Emma (aged 8 months). Alice is a Boarding House Keeper and James is a Carter (Coal). © Ancestry.com. 1911 England Census. Provo, UT, USA. Keywords: Picture
		Castle, James 1908_d1918_WW1-ArmyService Record01_E502 James Castle - service record in 4th Battalion Yorks Regt. His Attestation (swearing oath to serve) signed 02 Apr 1908. A volunteer regiment (initially "Yeomanry") until Territorial units came into being. James re-enlisted continually into the outbreak of WW1 in 1914. He served in France-at one time in the Machine Gun Corps until his term expired in early 1916. James was married at the time and thus was able to decline enlisting for the duration of the war. However within a few months he was no longer exempt and was conscripted and assigned to one of the most dangerous units - the Machine Gun Corps, where he lost his life in 1918. © Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920. Keywords: Picture
		Castle, James 1916_d1918_WW1-ArmyService Record18_B2513_p2 James Castle - enlistment in August 1916 when he was conscripted, initially back to the 4th Yorkshire Regt. The Regt record shows details of his wife and children and their address. Also his WW1 medals and qualifying as a Cold-Shoer at the School of Farriery, Aldershot. Joining the "Expeditionery Force, France-20.1.17". © Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 Keywords: Picture
		Castle, James 1918_d1918_WW1-ArmyService Record19_St Serv Yorks_p2 James Castle (Regt No 6241) - page 2 of his 4th Yorkshire Regt service history. Transferred to MGC (Machine Gun Corps), allotted new service No 73620 - 17.4.17. MGC 50th Batt'n. "Missing" 27.5.18. Since being conscripted in 1916 "Total Service towards Engagement to 27.5.18 (date of Death) - 1 year 276 days". © Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 Keywords: Picture
		Castle,James_ 4BnYorksRegt &MGC(PeterMcGee) James Castle from Northallerton, N Yorkshire. His daughter Emily married Peter McGee from Slieve Gullion townland, Co Armagh. In 1907 James had enlisted in the "Imperial Yeomanry Volunteer Force" (later-1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment) serving until early 1916. Compulsory conscription followed in August 1916 and James was posted to one of the 4th Yorks Regt Reserve Battalions in the UK. On the 17th April 1917 he was permanently transferred to the 50 Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps with number 73620. He was serving with them, but attached to the 4th Yorks Battalion when he was reported missing presumed killed on the 27th May 1918. Photograph is courtesy Stuart Castle and the website of 4th Yorks Regt. Keywords: Picture
		Castle,Mary(age69)_NorthEnd_1901 Mary Castle aged 49 (or 69), a widow and Lodging House Keeper at 90 North End, Northallerton, N Yorkshire. Her son, George (age 21). Grd'daughter Florence A Gadsby (18) and Grd'son James Castle (15) - a "Carter, General" (horse and cart). James was killed in WW1 in 1918 and his army NOK Form included uncles: " Jack in India and George Castle". All four recorded in the census were born in Northallerton. © Ancestry.com. 1901 England Census. Provo, UT, USA Keywords: Picture
		Castle, James_MIL HISTORY-Yorks Regt James Castle-his Military History within the 4th Yorkshire Regt-a volunteer/later Territorial regiment. From 2 Apr 1908 James re-enlisted for 1, 2 or 4 years. His voluntary service was completed 11 Apr 1916 - total 8 years 11 days service. James chose not to re-enlist in the regular army for the duration of WW1 but was nontheless conscripted later in 1916. MEDALS: 1914-15 Star (or Mons Star), Victory Medal and British War Medal. At the bottom of the form from his initial 1908 enlistment: NOK is "Mother. Mary Castle, North End, Northallerton". James married in 1909. © Ancestry.com. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 Keywords: Picture

Notes

"James Castle was from Northallerton, N Yorkshire; died in WW1" (Christina Scott; Gt-grand-daughter of James Castle). James Castle first appears in the 1891 census in Northallerton, Yorkshire North Riding. James is aged 5 years, so born about 1886, His brother John William is aged one. They are living with their grandparents Samuel & Mary Castle in North End; Lodging House Keepers with 10 lodgers. James appears again in the 1901 census in Northallerton with his grandmother Mary Castle-now a widow in North End and now with 18 lodgers. When aged 15 James is a "Carter, General".
James Castle's military career started 11 Feb 1907 in the "Imperial Yeomanry Volunteer Force" - explained below. His "Military History Sheet" in the 4th Yorkshire Battalion, records that on enlistment in 1907 his NOK is "Mother, Mary Castle, North End, Northallerton". James was living with his grandmother, Mary Castle, at North End in Northallerton in the census of 1891 and of 1901. In 1908 James' brother John William Castle enlisted and his father and mother were "Dead". Names of James and John's parents have not been verified.
In 1909 James Castle married Mary Alice (or Alice) Payne in her home town of Middlesbrough. The 1911 census finds James & Alice in Northallerton with two daughters: Alice (aged 1) and Emma (aged 8 months). Alice is a Boarding House Keeper and James is a "Carter (Coal)".
(There was a James Castle baptised in Morley parish in 1886 - the parish adjoins Bruntcliffe and Gildersome. His parents were David Castle and Mary [possibly Turner]. The baptism records that he was born in Bruntcliffe, Morley, Leeds (Bramley Registration District, Yorkshire West Riding). Northallerton is 41 miles north-east of Bruntcliffe. In the 1911 census this James Castle was living with his parents David & Mary in Gildersome, Yorkshire West Riding. However in the 1911 census our James Castle is married and residing in North End in Northallerton. He is a "Carter" - as is recorded in his army records). At just 5ft 4ins. tall James was later recruited into the Machine Gun Corps-usually if the soldier had a background used to carrying heavy loads.
James Castle had enlisted on the 11th February 1907 in the "Imperial Yeomanry Volunteer Force" which in the North Riding of Yorkshire was the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. After Haldane (in the Liberal Government) created the Territorial Force, James was one of those first men to be enrolled in the 4th Yorks Battalion with the Regimental No: 66 on the 2nd April 1908.
His papers indicate that he went out to France with the Battalion on 18 April 1915 and served for 349 days abroad. It seems he was part of a Battalion machine gun team as he was attached to 150th Brigade of the Machine Gun Corps in February 1916. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star. At the end of March 1916 he returned to England and was discharged to the Reserves as his enlistment term had "expired". An uncompleted Army Form shows he had also declined to enlist for the duration of the war: being married James could decline.
In May 1916 legislation widened the conscription criteria and married men were no longer exempt. So James Castle was recalled in August 1916, given a new Battalion number "6241" and posted to one of the 4th Yorks Battn Reserve Battalions in the UK. Presumably as a result of his civilian experience with horses, he qualifed during this time as a "Cold Shoer", someone who could re-shoe horses without the use of blacksmith's hot work. On the 17th April 1917 he was permanently transferred to the 50 Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps with number "73620". He was serving with them, but attached to the 4th Yorks Battalion when he was reported missing presumed killed on the 27th May 1918.
"James' body was never identified and he is commemorated, like so many others who fell during this fighting, on the Memorial to The Missing at Soissons". (Courtesy - 1/4TH BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGT website. The website is at: http://4thyorks.yellowgrey.com/wp-content/uploads/060Bn1918.html
James Castle now has a remembrance page on the Imperial War Museum's web site at: Weblink: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/747373 "Life story: James Castle | Lives of the First World War (iwm.org.uk)"
(When the website opens click "More about James Castle" at the bottom of the page and select any of the Information icons. Microsoft Edge browser may stop at the Home page, so click "Life Stories" or James Castle is the second entry).

[1]

Sources

[S112] Christina Scott - grand-daughter of Peter McGee (b1899) (Reliability: 2).
[S122] 1901 Census - England (Reliability: 3).
[S78] 1911 Census - England (Ancestry.com), (Ancestry.com. 1911 England Census. Provo, UT, USA.) (Reliability: 3).
[S133] Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Reliability: 3).
https://www.cwgc.org/
[S113] Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 (Reliability: 3).
[S24] findmypast.co.uk, England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005 (Reliability: 3).
[S14] British Army Records, British Army form. B.2513 (1916 recruitment). (Reliability: 2).
[S115] Ancestry.com. England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 (Reliability: 3).
Witnesses: Florence Anderson & Robert Watson.

Family of Peter Hannaway & Sarah Byrnes

James Castle

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