Blenheim News Tribune Ontario 02/08/1916

Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-

Born in Sunderland on 3rd August 1887, James’ parents are unknown, his only known relatives being his brother and sister.

James initially sailed for Canada on 9th June 1910, stating he was making for Bawlf, Alberta as a farmer, but he never made it ashore as he is marked as deported on the ship’s manifest. He returned to England and was successful on his second attempt to emigrate three months later.

James enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in London, Ontario on 18th September 1915, giving his occupation as a farmer, and naming his brother Jack, originally from Sunderland but then at the Remount Depot at Romsey, Hampshire, as his next of kin and the beneficiary of his paybook will. James became Private 401572 attached to the 33rd Battalion which embarked for England on 17th March 1916, arriving a week later.

Transferred to the 7th Battalion in mid May, Private 401572 arrived in France on 25th May and after time spent at the Canadian Base depot joined his new unit on 7th June in the Dominion Lines outside Ypres. Just a month later, on 6th July 1916 James Rae was killed in the railway dugouts at Zillebeke.

James Rae is remembered in Sunderland on S140.08 part 9 page 201.

He is also remembered in Canada on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance.

Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
The CWGC entry for Private Rae