Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Foy was born in 1877 at Consett, County Durham. One of 4 known children he was the eldest of 2 brothers and had 1 elder and 1 younger sister. His parents Patrick Foy and Jane Loughran were born in Ulster, Ireland in 1846 and 1851 respectively. They were married in 1874 in the district of Cockermouth, Cumberland before moving to the north east where Jane gave birth to their daughter Catherine at Consett in 1876, followed by James then Mary Ann 1881 and finally William in 1899. Patrick Foy was employed as an iron puddler at Consett Iron Company. Having moved to 21, Medomsley Road by 1891 he now supported his family as a contractor’s cart-man. Catherine (15) was an apprentice dressmaker, James (13) an apprentice grocer, Mary Ann was a scholar. By 1901 James’s sisters had left home and he had abandoned the grocery business in favour of working at the iron works, his uncle 40-year-old Bernard Loughran had come to live with them and he too was employed there, his father Patrick is listed as a labourer-scavenger and the family had also welcomed the arrival of William (2). Unfortunately, Patrick Foy died in 1902 aged only 55 years of age, his widow Jane Foy nee Loughran died aged 59 in 1910.
Prior to the death of his mother James had married July 17th 1908 to Mary Ann Ward born 1887 at Castle Eden, County Durham, their son Thomas was born April 8th 1909 and Agnes September 6th 1910. By 1911 they were living at Howden Cottages, Bridge Hill, Blackhill, James had returned to his employment at Consett Iron Works as a crane-man at the coke ovens. He and Mary went on to have a further 3 children, Jane born December 7th 1913, Catherine July 22nd 1914 and James Francis August 16th 1916.
Despite his age of 39 years 8 months James Foy was called up for service, February 27th 1917, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and assigned as Private 28023. He joined the 80th Training Reserve, 32nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 19th Reserve Brigade, March 1st 1917 until he departed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, June 9th 1917 where he was posted to the 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples June 10th until June 24th 1917 when he was transferred to the 1st/4th Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. The battalion during 1917 was in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the 3rd Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele before moving to Cambrai as of November 10th 1917. November 20th the attack at Cambrai began not only with shell fire but also the use of tanks in an attempt to take this important railhead, billeting and HQ town taken by the Germans in 1914.
Private Foy was reported as missing as of November 20th 1917 and next of kin informed. It was not until July 30th 1918 that the War Office, London, communicated to the officer in charge of Infantry Records receipt of official news as regards Private Foy. A list of dead had been supplied to its office by the Germans, December 27th 1917 including the details of Private Foy and 2 identity discs. This was now accepted as sufficient evidence of his death for official purposes and that the date of death was to be assumed as on or since November 20th 1917. Next of kin were officially informed and Private 28023 James Foy King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was officially struck off.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,336 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen of British and South African forces who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. At the time of his demise he was 40 years of age.
His widow Mary Ann received all monies due to him, a pension of 37 shillings 6 pence a week as of July 22nd 1918 for herself and their children also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 3, Front Street, Esh Village, County Durham as well as the 2 identity discs sent to her November 25th 1918.
Mary Ann Foy nee Ward died in the district of St. Pancreas, London in 1965 aged 78 years of age.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James' nephew William Foy son of John and Catherine Hindes nee Foy was born at Consett on 18th October 1898. The family moved to 18 Spring Street Newcastle where he enlisted into the KOYLI. He was killed in action on the River Piave Italy on 27th October 1918 and is buried at Tezze British Cemetery Italy.
James Foy is remembered at Malton on M49.01 at Esh Laude on E73.01 and at Lanchester on L62.01
