Chester Chronicle Friday 21/01/1916
William Greenwell and R. Greenwell
Chester Chronicle Friday 04/02/1916
James was born in Birtley on the 9th June 1887, and was the eldest son of Joseph Thomas Greenwell who resided at 3 West View, Chester-le-Street, and his wife Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Kell).
His two younger brothers were also in the forces, Lance Corporal William Greenwell also in the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and R. Greenwell a driver with the N.D.R.E.
He was educated at the Colliery Schools, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, and was employed as a miner. James married at a Register Office, Frances (23 Baden Street, Chester-le-Street), daughter of William Gilbert, on the 20th October 1906, and they had three children , Elizabeth Wiseman born 6th March 1907, Margaret born 8th January 1909 and Thomas Kell born 1st August 1912
James enlisted at Chester-le-Street on the 11th September 1914, and was 27 years and 2 months old, 5 foot 8 three quarters inches high and weighed 130 lbs. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 16th April 1915, and arrived in France on the 25th August 1915.
He had served previously with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry but had time expired.
On the 3rd December 1915, he contracted influenza and was sent to the 70th Field Ambulance station, which was part of the 23rd Division. He was then sent to the No 7 General Hospital on the 16th of December.
James died at 9.45am, on the 16th December 1915 from cerebo-spinal meningitis contracted whilst on active service at No 7 General Hospital, which was located at St. Omer, France.
The pension awarded to Frances from the 19th June 1916 was to the value of 20s 6d. There was some delay due to paperwork being mislaid by the Soldiers Sailors Family Association who were located at the Hermitage at the time. A Mrs Hale had not returned the appropriate paperwork B82, querying personal effects and his death, which resulted in the award being delayed.
His widow remarried, was called Smith and had moved to 30 Union Lane, Chester Moor.
There is a letter, from the Commanding Officer of the 7th General Hospital which describes what happened to him the day he passed away:L/Cpl J.W. Greenwell was admitted to hospital on the 16th December and died the same day. He was suffering from a very acute form of cerebo-spinal meningitis fever, it was evident on admission that his chances of recovery were extremely small. He was quite unconscious on admission and did not regain consciousness.
The Newcastle Journal 24/01/1916 carried this report:
Casualties among Chester-le-Street Men.
The following men belonging to the Chester-le-Street district: Lance-Corporal J. W. Greenwell, 12th D.L.I., 23 Baden Street, Chester-le-Street, died in hospital, and Lance-Corporal W. Greenwell, 12th D.L.I., of the same address, ill in hospital:
James Wiseman Greenwell is remembered at Chester-le-Street on C105.12, C105.15, C105.31, S113.06 and C105.40 and at Durham in D47.013d, page 333.
