Clapham,+James+Raymond

Gunner, 294th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery. Service No: 127074. Date of Birth: 8th March 1898. Date of Death: 21st June 1917. Age 19 Son of Joseph and Ruth Clapham, of 128, Malsis Rd., Keighley, Yorks. Belguim, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut LA PLUS DOUVE FARM CEMETERY, III. A. 3.
 * Clapham, James Raymond**



News has been received by Mr & Mrs Clapham of 128 Malsis Road, Keighley, of the death in action on June 21 of their son, Gunner J, Raymond Clapham, of the Royal Garrison Artillery. Aged 19 years, Gunner Clapham enlisted about ten months ago, and had been out at the front about three months. He was an 'Old Boy' of the Keighley Trade and Grammar School, and upon leaving school he was employed for some time in the Keighley office of the Prudential Assurance Company. Latterly, however, he was employed in a bank at Leeds and Leyburn. He was of a cheerful disposition, and the news of his death will be received with deep regret by a wide circle of friends.
 * Keighley News dated 30th June 1917:**

Gunner Clapham's Popularity Mr & Mrs Joseph Clapham of 128, Malsis Road, Keighley, have received letters with reference to the death of their eldest son, Gunner J. Raymond Clapham of the Royal Garrison Artillery, which was reported in last week's "Keighley News." Secomnd Lieutenant Eric J. Quaile says: "He was in my section, and his cheerful disposition and willingness made him most popular with his comrades, added to which he was an excellent gunner. His death was instantaneous, and he had no time to be under any pain." The Rev. H. A. Norton, chaplain to the forces, writing on June 21, says: "This morning the enemy shelled heavily his battery position, after the arrival of the first shell he and the others were making for a safe placer when splinters of a shell struck him and caused his death. His Captain was also killed. We laid them to rest this evening in the presence of officers and men in a little cemetery near by. They spoke of him in the highest terms. I beg to express you my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. There is, however, comfort in the knowledge that he gave his life for his country and friends. A man cannot do more." Gunner Clapham, who was 19 years of age, was educated at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School. He was formerly on the staff of the London Stock Bank at Leyburn. He was a member of the Wesleyan Choirs at Exley Head, Keighley, and Leyburn.
 * Keighley News dated 7th July 1917:**


 * First cousin 1x removed to** Thomas Clapham
 * Third cousin 1x removed to** Clapham, Edgar
 * Fourth cousin** Clapham, James Sydney

Born: Keighley, on 8th March 1898 Enlisted at Keighley. Rank: Gunner. Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery. Number: 127074. Type of Casualty: Killed in action. Death Date: 21 Jun 1917. Death Location: France & Flanders. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre.

Age: 3. Relationship to head: Son. Father's name: Joseph Clapham b. 02 Nov 1871 to d. 02 Dec1949 Keighley Mother's name: Ruth Pickard b. 03 Jan 1872 to d. 31 May 1947 Keighley Married: 1896 Keighley (Mar Quarter) Where born: Keighley, Yorkshire, England. Civil Parish: Keighley. Ecclesiastical parish: Keighley St Peter. Birth registered - April/May/June quarter of 1898, Page 102: Clapham, James Raymond. District - Keighley. Volume - 9a. Page - 181. Number 10. Nashville Terrace, Keighley. Household Members: Joseph Clapham. Age 29. Head. Blacksmith/Wheelwright. Born Keighley. Ruth Clapham. Age 29. Wife. Born Keighley. James R Clapham. Age 3. Son. Born Keighley. Mary Pickard. Age 26. Boarder. Assistant Schoolteacher. Born Keighley.
 * 1901 England Census and BMD Index:**

Age in 1911: 13 Relation to head: Son Address: 10 Nashville Terrace Keighley Household Members: Joseph Clapham Age 39 Ruth Clapham Age 39 James Raymond Clapham Age 13 John Brooke Clapham Age 8
 * 1911 Census:**

James had a younger brother: John Brooke Clapham. 25th Sep 1902 - 18 Nov 1969. Married to Leila Maud Hammond. b. 09 Nov 1903 - d. 1944. Daughter: Margaret. b. 1923 - d. 1923. Son: Raymond Clapham. b. 13 Jan 1929 - d. Aug 2008
 * __Other information:__**

James is remembered on: The Exley Head Roll of Honour Keighley Boys Grammar School Roll of Honour Leyburn War Memorial St Matthews Church War Memorial, Leyburn
 * Memorials:**