12181 Private James Sloan
A Company
7th Battalion Border Regiment
14th December 1915
Born in Carlisle, Cumberland in 1894. His parents were James Sloan 1846-1931 and Margaret Duffy (1854-1913).
They were married in 1874.
James had a brother, Thomas James (26/04/1876-1958) and 5 sisters, Mary Ann (1875-13/04/1966), Margaret (26/09/1880-1948), Janet (1883-12/12/1978), Catherine (05/05/1885-22/11/1974) and Grace (09/02/1898-1987).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 2 Burns Street, Caldewgate, Carlisle. James snr. was employed
as a general labourer.
The 1911 census still showed the family living at the same address and James snr still working as a general labourer. It also shows that James was now working, as an attending hoist in the tin department of Carr Co. Ltd (a biscuit company famous
for their water biscuits.)
James enlisted in Carlisle and was sent to France on 24/07/1915. He was killed in action on 14/12/1915.
The Cumberland News Saturday 8 January 1916
The Roll of Honour
Private James Sloan of “ A ” Company , 7th Border Regiment, who was killed in action in Flanders on December 14th.
Private Sloan, who was 21 years of age, worked at Messrs Mortons’ carpet factory.
A brother is serving in the Royal Engineers.
The Cumberland News – Saturday 16 December 1916
In Memoriam
Sloan – In Affectionate remembrance of Private James Sloan, Border regiment, who was killed in action, December 14th, 1915, beloved youngest son of James and the late Margaret Sloan, residing 2 Burns Street, Caldewgate.
“Somewhere abroad there is a grave,
Where lies my son amid the brave.
A cross with letters doth mark the place,
But they the hand of time will soon efface.”
“To thee o Lord, I lift my prayer,
And leave him sleeping in thy care.
Some day his comrades will come home,
But he will be sleeping across the foam.”
“His war is o’er, his sun is set,
Of thee dear son, we will ne’er forget.
One of the rank and file he heard the call,
For King and Country, he gave his all.
And now that he has done his best,
May God grant him eternal rest.”
Deeply mourned by his father, sisters and brother in Salonika.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His father was awarded a pension of 5/- a week from 04/07/1916 on 07/07/1916.
As stated above, his brother had enlisted into the Royal Engineers, as Sapper 7359 on 02/01/1901.
His medical on the same day is as follows;
Apparent Age - 24 years
Occupation - Plasterer
Height - 5ft 5 1/2 inches, Weight - 132lbs
Chest Measurement - Minimum 33 inches, Maximum - 35 1/2 inches
Complexion - Fresh, Eyes - Blue, Hair - Dark Brown
Religious Denomination - Roman Catholic
Thomas was based in this country for just over a year until 13/01/1902 he was sent to to South Africa to serve in the
2nd Boer war that was in its final few months.
From 02/01/1903, he was awarded good conduct pay of 1d a day.
On the 16/04/1904, he was stationed at Bloemfontein, serving with the 10th Company Royal Engineers. A review form was completed on his behalf for "A soldier who is desirous of extending his period of army service to complete 8 years with the colours."
Service towards engagement - 3 years 3 months
Character - very good
Good Conduct Badges - 1
Date on which army service expires - 01/01/1908.
Thomas was awarded a second good conduct badge on 02/01/1906, but forfeited it later in the year on 10/12/1906.
He was to stay in South Africa until 04/03/1907 being awarded the King's South African Medal and also the following clasps;
Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and 1902.
Thomas now home was awarded service pay @class II of an extra 5d a week from 01/11/1907. A month later on 10/12/1907, his second good conduct badge was restored.
Due to an injury he sustained, Thomas had to undergo a court of inquiry on 04/11/1907.
For the purpose of reporting on the circumstance under which the undermentioned soldier no 7359 sapper T Sloan 53th Company R.E. received an injury
1st Evidence
No. 7359 Sapper T Sloan 53rd Company RE states “ playing football about 18th Oct 1907 when I twisted my ankle.
I was seven days in hospital.
1966 Sapper Dunn states- “ I was playing football about 18th Oct. When I saw Sapper Sloan run after the ball,
fall & sprain his ankle.
“I am of opinion that the injury sustained by Sapper 7359 T Sloan was the result of an accident while he was not on duty under circumstance beyond his own control.” – JHC Harrison Lieutenant Colonel.
Medical Evidence
Civilian: Surgeon Cooper states- “ No.7359 Sapper Sloan T. R.E. was admitted to the Station Hospital Chatham on 14/10/1907 suffering from a sprain which may have been caused in the manner stated by the patient.
It is not likely to affect his further effect as a soldier
Medical Officer
Thomas was transferred to the reserves on 01/01/1909, the expiration of his army service and then discharged after termination of time served on 01/01/1913.
When war broke out Thomas re-enlisted as Sapper 31548 Royal Engineers and went to France on 21/10/1915.
He survived the war and was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
James also had 2 brother-in-laws that also served during the war.
His sister Janet's husband 21779 2nd Battalion Border Regiment, Lance Serjeant Edward James McIntyre (born in 1885)
was killed in action on 29/10/1917. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Passchendaele, Arrondissement,
West Flanders, Belgium. Panels 85 to 86.
Another sister, Catherine was married to Robert Casson(born in 1884), who was 13345 Private in 5th Battalion Border Regiment.
Robert enlisted on 24/09/1914, aged 30 years 143 days, having previously been employed as a cooper. He was posted to
11th(Service(Lonsdale))Battalion Border Regiment on the same day.
He was sent to France on 23/11/1915.
On 09/05/1918 he was posted to 5th Battalion Border Regiment.
He was awarded the D.C.M.(Distinguished Conduct Medal) and his citation appeared in the London Gazette
on 03/06/1918.
Citations of the Distinguished Conduct Medal
13345 Pte.R. Casson (Carlisle)
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This man who has served continuously with the battalion since 1914, has been company ‘runner’ for a long time. In the many engagements in which he has taken part his behaviour under fire has been at all times an example to those about him, and he has never failed to deliver a message that has been entrusted to him.
Despite serving throughout the war, Robert didn't live to see the end of the conflict, being reported missing on 10/08/1918.
He is remembered on Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 6.