JAMES EDWARD CATLING

Born: 1899, Ipswich.

Died: 21st August 1918; age 19; Died of Wounds received in action on the 18th August 1918 at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station, France – Gun Shot Wound penetrating the chest.

The family were notified on the 27th August 1918.

Residence: 6, Cobden Place, Ipswich.

Occupation: Grocer’s Assistant.

Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; Date: 26th May 1917; Age: 18 years & 1 month; Religion: CofE. Signed up for the duration of the war. Height: 5ft 7ins.

Rank: Private; Service Number: G/96898

Regiment: Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 2nd Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Grave Reference:

23. B. 23.

Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery,

Averdoingt,

Pas de Calais,

France.

Relatives Notified and Address: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Catling, of Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   6, Cobden Place, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

James was a year old and living with his parents, siblings & nephew.

Arthur Alfred Catling, 43, a House Painter, born Ipswich.

Aveline Amanda Catling (nee Jerman), 44, born Ipswich.

Albert Arthur Catling, 16, a Plumbers Assistant, born Ipswich.

Herbert Henry Catling, 14, an Errand Boy, born Ipswich.

Emma Aveline Catling, 11, born Ipswich.

Ernest Sidney Catling, 8, born Ipswich.

Arthur Frederick Catling, 4, born Ipswich.

George Hall Catling, 4, born Ipswich.

1911   6, Cobden Place, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

James was 11 years old, he was at school and also a Grocer’s Errand Boy. He was living with his parents, siblings & nephew.

Arthur, 53, a House Painter.

Aveline, 54.

Herbert, 21, a Beer Bottler at a Brewery.

Ernest, 18, a Baker’s Assistant.

Emma, 21.

Arthur, 14.

Charles Arthur Catling, 14, an Iron Turner at a Foundry, born Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Aveline A. Catling – mother.

James’s brother, Herbert Henry Catling enlisted on the 1st September 1914, and was sent to France on the 8th November 1914. He was a  Private, service number 200522, of the 4th Battalion, of the Suffolk Regiment. A family story from his great niece Gill recalls how in March 1915, whilst in the field, he received a gunshot wound. His life was saved by his pocket watch, which caught the bullet and shattered.

James is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich.

Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 2nd Battalion:http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/the-duke-of-cambridges-own-middlesex-regiment/