Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James William Bland was the eldest of 3 sons and had a half-sister Henrietta born August 18th 1885, from his mother’s previous marriage. His father George William Bland born 1854 married widow Henrietta White born 1856 in their home town of Sunderland in 1889. James William was born in 1889, Hendrick John 1892 and George Robert 1894 all in the district of Sunderland. George William Bland died aged 41 years in 1895 leaving his widow with the responsibility of providing for their very young children which she did as a mineral water worker, assisted by Henrietta (15) a tobacco worker, in 1901 they were living at 13, Numbers Garth, Sunderland. By 1911 only Hendrick (18) and George (17) were living at home supporting their mother employed at the shipyard as boilermakers, to increment the family income they had taken in a boarder, 39-year-old dock labourer, John Harrison,
James William Bland had chosen a military career and when war was declared in August 1914 was serving with the 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) as Private 9846, stationed in Malta. They were recalled, landing at Southampton, September 22nd 1914 and came under the orders of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, departing to France, November 5th 1914, landing at Le Havre. They participated extensively on the Western Front including on the Somme and in Belgium during the Battles of Ypres. Unfortunately, his military record has not been found, possibly one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements. He not only rose to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal but was posted to the Military Foot Police, service number P/8902.
Lance Corporal James William Bland was killed in action, April 17th 1918 and is at rest within Gwalia Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium. His family's grief was compounded little over 5 months later when his brother Private Hendrick John Bland, Durham Light Infantry died of wounds, also near Ypres, Belgium.
As his sole beneficiary his mother Henrietta received al monies due to him, a pension and his awards the 1914 Star with clasp, awarded to those who served under fire or who had operated within range of enemy mobile artillery in France between August 5th-November 22nd 1914, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her new address of 26, Warncliffe Street, Sunderland, as she was now living next door to her daughter and son-in-law.
Henrietta Bland-White died aged 84 years in 1940, registered in the district of Sunderland.
Her daughter Henrietta married Thomas S, Worthy in 1906 with whom she had a son George William born February 23rd 1907. George William in 1939 is listed as head of the household at Ravensworth Street, Sunderland, a widower employed as a credit draper. Also in the household is his daughter Doreen, a scholar and his parents. Henrietta Worthy nee White (Bland) died in 1967 aged 81 years and it at rest within Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland.
George Robert Bland would also have been eligible to serve during WW1, however, no record has been found, he died in 1947 aged 53 years, registered in the district of Sunderland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James William Bland is remembered at Sunderland in S148.048Part 05
