James Firth was born on the 15th January 1874, one of six children, at Upper Wincobank, Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, to Charles Firth, a Furnace man, born 1827 in Leeds, and his first wife Elizabeth Firth, [nee Lister], born 1844. They were married in 1870. Charles was the son of Rowland Firth, born 1793, died 1847, who married an Anne Frith.

James was their youngest child. He had an elder brother called William, born 1863 and who died in 1938, and three sisters - Martha, born 1865, Mary Ann born 1867, Clara born 1868, died 1933, and a younger brother called Arthur, born 1870. In 1871 the were all residing at Upper Wincobank, Ecclesfield.

In 1881, James was residing at Dwelling 1, Court No 1 Eben Street, Brightside Bierlow, Yorkshire. Also at this residence was his father Charles Firth, sister Clara Firth, and brother Arthur Firth. At the same address was Ellen Bullas, a Servant and Housekeeper, Annie Bullas, Housekeeper's daughter, Henry Bullas and Florence Bullas, Housekeeper's daughter.

In 1901 Charles, now 61, now a steel smelter, was residing at 28 James Street, Jarrow, moving in 1888 to Jarrow, with his second wife Sarah Clarke, 15 years younger than Charles, who was born 21st July 1855 at Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland. They went on to have seven children, Charlotte Firth, born 1884, F. Swan, born 1884, Euphemia Firth, born 1887, died 1915, Mary J. Firth, born 1889, Mary Firth, born 1890, John Firth born 1892 and Francis born 1894 died in 1964. Charlotte was born in Scotland, Euphemia was born at Swalwell, the rest of the children were born at Jarrow. In the 1901 census only 5 children are at home: Charlotte, Euphemia, Mary J. John and Francis.

Before moving to Jarrow, James, Charles and Sarah lived at Quality Row, at Swalwell, and also at Park Terrace, where Euphemia was born. Charles was working at the Newbridge Foundry as a steel smelter. James was educated at the County School in Swalwell, boarding with the Banham family, before enlisting in the 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment on the 29th July 1889. Aged 15 years and 6 months. His service number was 2522.

Charles had moved to Jarrow and was employed at the Blast Furnace, part of Palmer's shipyard.

James Firth was married on the 6th July 1897 at the Emmanuel Church, Attercliffe, Sheffield, to Mary Florence, nee Edwards], born 2nd January 1876, [died 15th April 1953, only daughter of Thomas Edwards, of Swineshead, Lincolnshire. They had three children. Joseph Wallis Firth, born April 1902, died 2nd May 1912, Alleyne Gathorne Firth, born 25th June 1903, died 24th December 1951, [married a Sylvia, born 18th June 1908, who were residing at 21 Brinsworth Hall Drive, Rotherham in 1939], they had two daughters Pamela and Susan, and Cecil James Firth, born 18th December 1907, who married a Marjorie Florence? born 24th May 1908, [who were residing at 30 Raby Street, Sheffield in 1939], they had two children Rita E. born 17th October 1936, [who married a Booth], and James M. born 29th October 1937.

James was in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment and was promoted to a Sergeant. He was sent to South Africa and was in action in the Boer War. On the 24th February 1900, at Plewman's Farm, near Arundel, Cape Colony, South Africa, Sergeant Firth performed the acts which earned him the Victoria Cross.

The actual citation reads: At Plewmans Farm near Arundel, Cape Colony February 24th 1900, Sergeant Firth gained the Victoria Cross for two acts of bravery and devotion. 'Lance Corporal Blackman had been wounded, and was lying not more than one hundred yards from the enemy, who were keeping up a severe hail of fire on all around' Sergeant Firth scorning the bullets aimed at him and his brigade, advanced to the stricken corporal and carried him to the cover of their own lines' Shortly afterwards, second Lieutenant T.H.B. Wilson fell dangerously wounded, in spite of the proximity of the Boers who had advanced quite close to the firing line, Firth carried the Officer over the crest of the ridge to shelter, receiving a bullet through the eye and nose, whilst engaged in this humane act'.

Fortunately Lieutenant Umpreville who recommended James for the award added some more details to the day's events 'On the 24th February, 1900 in the vicinity of Plewman's Farm, six miles NW of Arundel, Cape Colony, the 1st West Riding Mounted Infantry Company had driven the Boers out of one range of koppies (low hills) and followed them up to another - but arriving at the crest of the second ranges they found themselves under very heavy fire from higher koppe's (sic) to their direct front and also their right and left fronts from a vastly superior force. No 4673 Lance Corporal Blackman was hit just over the crest and lay exposed to the enemy's fire (at a range of 4 to 500 yards). Sergeant Firth picked him up and carried him under the shelter of the rocks.

Shortly afterwards the enemy attempted to rush our position, covered by the fire from the dominating koppe's (sic), they reached the ridge and 2nd Lieutenant (now Lieutenant), [Lieutenant T.H.B. Wilson], was shot through the head in a most exposed place. Sergeant Firth carried over the crest to shelter but was himself shot thro' the nose and eye and fell beside his Officer - the remains of his eye to be subsequently removed'.

Sergeant James Firth was invalided out of the army as medically unfit on the 18th April 1900. He was awarded the Queen's South African Medal 1899-1902, with one clasp Cape Colony as well as the Victoria Cross.

James visited Swalwell on his return from South Africa for a presentation was made to him from the people of the village of a Silver Watch no 34188.

The Sunderland Echo 25/06/1910 reports briefly:

"Swalwell is justly proud that one of its late resident, Sergt. James First, should have won the Victoria Cross for bravery on the field of battle."

James was also presented with a black marble clock and two bronze horses which were given to him by Messrs Vickers son and Maxim Ltd along with an enlarged photograph of himself.

James was presented with his V.C., by King Edward VII at St James's Palace on Thursday July 25th 1901.

In the 1911 census James was now residing at 193 Douglas Road, Sheffield with his wife and three children. He was described as a General Labourer working at an open hearth steel blast furnace.

He applied again at the start of WW1 but was turned down on Medical Grounds. James attended the King's Garden Party on Saturday 26th June 1920 for V.C. recipients. He travelled down by train with another V.C., winner, Sergeant Loosemore, who he had never previously met. They were met at St Paul's Station and were conveyed to the Palace. This was the third time James had met the King.

He died of tuberculosis on the 29th May 1921 after a long and painful illness.

His funeral took place at Burngreave Cemetery on June 2nd at 2.45pm at St Michael's, Neepsend.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph 03/06/1921 reported :

SHEFFIELD V.C. BURIED.
The funeral of Sergeant James Firth, Sheffield's first V.C., took place yesterday at Burngreave Cemetery in the prescence of thousands and friends from Neepsend, where he lived for several years. A service was held at St Michael's Church, Neepsend, conducted by the Rev H H Everson (Vicar) and the Rev C F Wardby. From the church, the coffin draped with the Union Jack was carried to a gun carriage by six sergeants and a regimental sergeant major of the Duke of Wellington's (W.R.) Regiment (Sergeant Firth's old regiment who came from the depot at Halifax). Following the coffin was a firing party from the Cheshire Regiment from Hillsborough Barracks carrying arms at the reverse.

The service at the Cemetery, simple and impressive, was concluded by the sounding of the Last Post and the firing of three volleys over the grave.

In his will dated 4th May he left effects of £359 15s 3d to Mary Florence Firth, widow.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph Saturday 20/05/1922:

The testator left to his son Alleyne, on reaching majority, his Victoria Cross, his South African medals and other souvenirs, and further relics to his other son Cecil James. He further directed that his wearing apparel should, on his decease, be sealed up in the presence of both executors, and handed to his son Cecil when he shall attain majority.

Alleyne was also willed James's Gold Snake ring and a Queen Victoria Chocolate box, the card bidding him to the investiture at St James's Palace.

The Victoria Cross that was awarded to James was auctioned on 20th October 1999 by the Auctioneers Spink. It fetched £38,000 and was sold to the Ashcroft Collection.

A lot of the family information obtained in this story was from a descendant who attended the VC Plaque unveiling ceremony in October 2007, an oral interview and notes taken by James Pasby/Ray Wharton at the unveiling ceremony. Additional research from various other sources.

James Firth is remembered in Jarrow on J2.21 and in Swalwell on S85.07.

VC's of the Boer War
Will of James Firth VC