2nd Lieutenant William Lancelot James, 2nd/4th Regiment.

I seeking further information and ideally a decent photograph relating to 2nd Lieutenant William Lancelot James, of the 2nd Battalion, 4th (King’s Own Royal) Regiment.

What I have so far is that he was commissioned into the 2nd/4th from the 3rd Royal Guernsey Militia on 4th December 1878.  He joined the battalion in South Africa in February 1879.  He received the medal with the clasp 1879.  His medal is held in the King’s Own Museum Collection.

Promoted to Lieutenant, 5th December 1880.

In the early 1880’s post the Army Reforms of 1881, appears on the strength of 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

Promoted to Captain, 1st February 1888.

In May of the same year he was appointed as the Adjutant of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry.

Promoted to Major, 18th November 1896.

On 12th July 1897, appointed District Inspector of Musketry, Malta.

It appears that he died in 1899, possibly whilst still serving on Malta.

There is a group photograph held in the King’s Own Collection, but it is unclear which Officer is the then Lieutenant James.

Any further help gratefully accepted.

JY

Thanks to some excellent work conducted outside of the forum by Petty Officer Tom, I am satisfied that this is a photograph of 2nd Lt. James, taken circa 1878.

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2nd Lt. W. L. James, 2nd/4th Regt., circa 1878.
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Hi JY

Just a little information to fill in the gaps.

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London Evening Standard 29 November 1899

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Andy

Andy,

Thanks very much.

JY

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“William Lancelot “Lance” James was born at Samieston House in the spring of 1857 and died in November of 1899, in Marleybone, London, England, after an operation.  In March of 1887, at Farham, Surrey, he married Emily Constance Paterson who was born in 1859 in Sandhurst, Berkshire, and died on April 6th, 1910, in Tisbury, Wiltshire.  She was the daughter of William Paterson and Annie Jane Sinclair Thomson. Lance and Emily had a .daughter Ellen Georgina Gladys James.
In the diaries of Jane Catherine Helen (Bowlby) James there are references to “Lancie” –  October 17, 1899 “Heard bad accounts of Louise Hope,and Lancie at 76 Gloucester Place. Hyde Park” i.e. health problem November 16, 1899-“The day of Lancie’s operation November 27, 1899---“Heard from Susie of Lancie’s death In the diary “memoranda” for 1899 Lancie’s surgical home: 57 Beaumont Street, Portland Place, London.”

Peter,

Thanks for that, it was actually something that Tom brought to my attention outside of the forum.

The likeness is quite apparent between the two photographs.

JY

John Young wrote:

Peter,

Thanks for that, it was actually something that Tom brought to my attention outside of the forum.

The likeness is quite apparent between the two photographs.

JY

I thought the same John.