James Rackley 1891-1915

Lac-Cpl James Rackley, Barnsley Chronicle 4th December 1915.
 with thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born:
26th February 1891 Reading, Berkshire

Military Service:
Enlisted: 6th September 1914  aged 23
Regiment: York and Lancaster 1st/5th Battalion.
Service number and rank: 2234 Corporal
Entered Theatre of War: France 13 April 1915
Awards: The British War Medal, The Victory Medal, The 1915 Star

Death: 26th November 1915 age 24   
Buried:  Bard Cottage Cemetery.
Grave Reference: I. L.15

Remembered:
St Marys Church Barnsley Combined War Memorial

Links & Notes:

James Rackley lived at 24 Honeywell Lane Barnsley

Lives of the First World War
Commonwealth War Graves Commission


RACKLEY (FRANCIS) JAMES Corpl No 2234, C Coy., 1/5th (Territorial) Battn. 
The eldest son of William Rackley, by his wife, Amy Rachael) born Reading, Berkshire on the 26th February 1891, he was a collier (miner). He joined the 5th Battn., the York and Lancaster Regt. 6th September 1914, after the outbreak of war; served with the Expeditionary Force in Grance from 13th April 1915 and was killed in action on the 26th November following.  Buried at Meriner Farm.  Second Lieut. H.H,Morrell, Commanding C. Coy; wrote: "He was one of the most valuable N.C.O's in the company and no soldier could have worked more cheerfully or willingly than he. Everybody in the company will miss him, and I can assure that he received every possible attention that lay in our power."  He was recommended for the D.C.M. for gallant conduct in the field. He married at St. Hilda's Church West Hartlepool, Mary Elizabeth (52 Honeywell Street, Barnsley) daughter of Robert Featherstone and had a daughter, Violet Kathleen, born 26th Jan. 1914. 

From De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919 on Ancestry.co.uk