Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
James was the only son of William and Isabella. He was born at Cockfield, Durham in 1884 then later baptised on 28th December 1884 at Cockfield. The couple had married in 1876. They had 7 children together but 2 died including John Robert who was born in 1888 and died in 1895 at the age of 7 years. The second child to die was Robert born and died in 1900.
1891 census shows the family living at Knox’s yard. Father William is a plumber. Siblings John and Alice are also there.
1901 saw three additions to the family namely Mary, Lily and Dorothy. James was working as a plumber’s apprentice.
In 1911 James was working as a porter for the North Eastern Railway. Sister, Jane, was a dressmaker.
Also in that year James married Elizabeth (known as Lizzie) Jane Keen at Haltwhistle. They had two daughters Sarah Irene born 29th July 1911 and Florence Isabella born 16th October 1913.
Although James was serving as service number 42132 with 2nd Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. he had previously served with 520 Northumberland Fusiliers. James was killed in action February 11th 1917. The Inscription added to his headstone was :- “Loved in life remembered in death”
James William Bainbridge Hird is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered on the North Eastern Railway Memorial at York.
