James Herbert Mays (1889-1917) of Martham
James is listed on the War Memorial as one of those who gave his life during the First World War.
James was born in 1889 in Briston, Norfolk. He was the fourth child of Walter Framingham Mays and Laura, nee Taylor. He had five siblings, namely: Walter (b1883), Marilla Edith (b1885), Nora Beatrice (b1886), Dorothy Jane (b1890) and Elsie Maud (b1893).
James was listed in the 1901 census living with his family at Repps Road, Martham when he was 11. He was in the 1911 census living with his parents at Oak Villa, Repps Road, Martham. He was a carpenter and may have worked with his father who was a master builder and built several houses in Martham including Oak Villa which was originally called Hill House.
James served in the military in 1917 with the 2nd/6th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, formerly 1746 6th Norfolk Regiment Cyclists Battalion. His military serial number was Private 267230 and he enlisted at North Walsham in 1917. He was killed in action on 2nd December 1917 in Flanders when he was 28. He has no known war grave but is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France on panel 6 as well as Martham War Memorial.
