William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
James was born at Ryhope in 1895. His father, James, was a coal miner hewer below ground and his mother was Sarah (nee Watson). The couple married in Sarah’s home town of Whitehaven although James was from Cumberland also. The couple had 3 children together who all survived childhood.
In 1901 the family were living at 60 Bowness Field Sunderland.
By 1911 the children were growing up and getting jobs. Ellener (Eleanor) was at home, David coal miner putter, James coal miner driver aged 15 plus a boarder who was a miner. Their home was at 4 Westgarth Terrace Usworth.
At some point James enlisted into the army joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and served at several locations. He was sent to the Balkans (Gallipoli) on May 25th 1915. James was wounded August 8th 1916 (possibly in France).
James died of pneumonia on February 15th 1917 and lies in Bailleul Cemetery alongside 4344 of his comrades.
He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1915 Star for his services.
His brother David also joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers but was discharged June 14th 1915.
James Postlethwaite is remembered at Sunderland on S140.048 part 11 page, at Usworth on U9.01 and U9.08 and at Washington on W96.11
