Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
The family name for James has the following variations: McCruden, Cruden and Crouden. For clarity this entry will only use McCruden.
The parents of James McCruden were James McCruden from Glasgow, and Mary McCruden (nee MacKey) from Newcastle. James McCruden was born in 1896 at Felling, County Durham and it is possible his middle name was Michael.
In 1901, James McCruden, aged 5, was living with his parents at Hedworth, County Durham, where his father was a stonemason. Siblings in the family home included Margaret 16, Nicholas 10, Elizabeth 9, Mary 7 and Christina who was 7 months old.
The 1911 Census shows James was 15 years old and living at 1, Dixon Terrace, Felling, with his mother. James at this time was employed as butcher's assistant. His mother was a widow.
On his death military records show his effects went to Mary his mother. There are no others listed on the Pension Index Card, a good indication James never married. CWGC documents use the name McCruden and confirm James was the son of Mrs Mary McCruden of 99, Askew Road, Gateshead and the late James McCruden. James enlisted at Newcastle-on-Tyne and was a Lance Corporal (unpaid) in C Company.
James McCruden is remembered in Felling on F32.24 and on our list of Tyneside Irish
