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Medal Index Card
Helop's Local Advertiser
Evening Chronicle 07/05/1917
Evening Chronicle 09/05/1917
James Robert Case was born in Swanton Abbott, near North Walsham in Norfolk, on the 2nd October 1883. His parents were John and Margaret (nee Porter) who married on the 30th November 1875 at Holy Trinity Church in Gateshead. John was originally from Westwick in Norfolk (born 1848). and worked as an agricultural labourer, his wife Margaret was from Castle Eden, Durham (born 1855).
After the birth of their first child, Thomas, the couple returned to Norfolk.
James Case can be traced through the Census returns with his family, although his father John died in 1887. In 1891 James is found living in Blue Bell Common in North Walsham where he attended North Walsham Board School. His widowed mother Margaret is working as a washwoman to support her five young children; Thomas (born 1878 Heworth, Gateshead), Mary (born 1881 Norfolk), James (born 1883 Norfolk) and John (born 1886 Norfolk). Margaret also had another daughter, Ann Eliza, who was born in 1891 (Norfolk) but died the same year, aged 7 months.
Margaret Case returned to the North East and remarried to John Foster on the 16th April 1898 at St. Mary’s Church, Heworth, and in 1901 the family are living in Second Street in Heworth.
James, now aged 17 years, is working as a 'bank head lad' above ground at Heworth colliery. In the household now is his stepfather John Foster, his mother Margaret and younger brother John (now aged 14 years). Margaret and John Foster are also found at Second Street in the 1911 Census.
James Case married Isabella Humes at the Primitive Methodist Church, Durham Road in Gateshead on the 9th July 1910. Isabella Humes (born 1890) was the daughter of Henry Walker and Sarah, and living in First Street, Heworth, in 1901 with her parents and siblings prior to her employment as a domestic servant, and then her subsequent marriage.
In the 1911 Census. James and Isabella can be found living in 2 rooms at 24 Chapel Square, Heworth Colliery. James is still working as a miner, but now below ground.
The couple had two children, although one infant did not survive; Mary Doreen was born in 1911, and John was born in 1913, but sadly he died at Felling in October 1914 aged 18 months and is buried at St. Mary’s, Heworth.
James enlisted at Gateshead, and joined the 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish) serving with 'B' Company, V Platoon. His army service number was 24/443. The Battalion was raised in Newcastle on the 14th November 1914, and they proceeded to France in January 1916. James attained the rank of Lance Corporal, and his Battalion fought in the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and in the Battles of Arras in 1917 including the First Battle of the Scarpe, which was the opening phase of the Battle of Arras from 9th to 14th April. James was killed on the 9th April 1917, on the first day of the battle.
At the time of his death, the address for the family was given as 6 Wallis Street in Felling.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle 07/05/1917.CASE – Killed in action, April 9th, 1917, Corpl. J., 443, N.F., late of Heworth Colliery. Deeply mourned by his sister and sisters-in-law, brothers and brother-in-law.
CASE – Killed in action on April 9th, 1917, Corpl. James Case, 443, son-in-law of Henry and Sarah Humes, 9 Avenue Terrace, Dinnington Colliery. Sleep on, dear son, in a far off grave, A grave we may never see, But as long as life and memory lasts, We will remember thee. Ever remembered by his loving father and mother-in-law and brothers and sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law James Humes, now in France. Deeply mourned.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle 09/05/1917.
CASE- Killed in action on April 9th, 1917. 443, Corpl. J. Case dearly beloved husband of Isabella Case, of 6, Wallis Street, Felling. Farewell dear husband your days are past, You loved us all while you did last, You always strove to do your best, And now in heaven you take your rest. Oh how my heart doth ache, When I think of how you died, To think you could not speak to me, before you closed your eyes. Although your face I cannot see, Your voice I cannot hear, I often sit and think of you, and shed a silent tear. Quick and sudden came your call, Your death surprised us all. A loving husband, a faithful friend, One of the best that God could send. They miss you most who loved you best. But the hardest blow is yet to come, When the warriors do return, When I miss among the cheering crowd, The face of my beloved one. Ever remembered by his loving wife and child. Deeply mourned.
His widow Isabella received all monies due to him, his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and a pension for herself and their surviving child until she remarried in 1919 in the district of Houghton-le-Spring, Thomas W. Graham where they lived at 4, West Row, West Rainton, County Durham.
James mother Margaret A Case nee Porter died in 1929 at Sedgefield, County Durham aged 69 years. Details of Isabella Graham-Case nee Humes, unknown.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 1917 carries a notice which reads:
"Corporal J. Case, N.F., killed in action, April 9th. Late of Heworth Colliery".
James Robert Case is remembered at Heworth on H92.04 and H92.07 and in Felling on F32.05
