Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
James was born at Lamesley in 1893 the son of Alexander and Margaret (nee Pearson) who both originated from Scotland. The couple married at Colinton, Midlothian on 27 June 1879. They went on to have 12 children together all of whom survived. The youngsters included Alexander, Agnes, Lizzie, Thomas, Kate, John, Walter, Emily and Violet.
The 1901 census lists the family as living at 3 Primrose Hill, Gateshead with the family of 10. Father, Alex was a domestic coachman, son Alex an assistant grocer, Agnes a dressmaker whilst James and his other siblings were at school.
By 1911 the family living at Rock Grove, Low Fell, were growing up and several members had moved on. The home must have been bursting with family members as two more children arrived (Oliver? and Euphemia). James was living in Edinburgh with his uncle Thomas as he had for a number of years.
James enlisted in to the army at Edinburgh on 7 December 1914. His records show he was working as a clerk at the time. He was of good physical development and was 5’5” in height. His only identifiable mark was a mole at the base of his spine. By the following day he had been posted to the 16th Battalion, Royal Scots.
His conduct sheet was not without blemish. On the first occasion he was absent from 18 July 1915 until about 27 July 1915. He was admonished and forfeited 10 days pay. The second occasion (being absent for 2 days) was more serious however and incurred a graver punishment, that being Field Punishment No. 2. This punishment involved being placed in fetters and handcuffs but not attached to a fixed object. He endured this for 3 days.
After a time at home James was posted to France on 8 January 1916. He embarked from Southampton.
He had a medical problem - on 7 February he was treated at a field ambulance station for scabies. This condition is an unpleasant infection caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin.
On 1 July 1916 he was wounded in action suffering from a gunshot wound to his left hip. Later in the month a gunshot wound to his hip is mentioned again but it is not clear if it was another injury or problems with the first wound.
On 1 August 1916 James was killed in action while serving with the Machine Gun Corps. His brother, Walter had been killed in the same area only a few weeks earlier.
James' total war service amounted to 1 year 239 days. His uncle Thomas was his executor and sole legatee.
James was awarded British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Acknowledgements: Rev. David Youngson
James Veitch is remembered at Low Fell on L61.02, L61.03, L61.05 and L61.10
