James Graham

Scotch Arms, Rickergate

Key Information

Name: James Graham
DoB: January 1  1887
Regt: Gloucester
DoD: October 24 1918
Academic Career: CGS 1903 – 1905 
Biographical Information:

  • Family Background:

    James was the eldest of three children of John William Graham and his wife Mary Teresa (nee McCauley). John William and Mary each had nine siblings and both families ran businesses in the heart of Carlisle. James was to become the fourth generation of the Grahams to be involved in the cab business which had been founded on Blackfriars Street by his gt grandfather and grandfather. The business had moved to Lowther Street by 1871 and was there until 1919. Four months after James’ death in Feb 1919 his father John William sold the business by auction. With no son left to inherit he possibly felt there was no point carrying on?

    The McCauley family was headed by Denis who was born in Ireland and married local girl Isabella Trimble in 1855. By 1861 they were living on Rickergate running the Bluebell Inn. By 1871 the family were in the Scotch Arms on Rickergate and Denis opened The Star Music Hall also on Rickergate on June 25 1877. They had the Scotch Arms until at least 1891. Denis also owned cattle. He and one of his sons were in the Wetheral Viaduct train crash in 1873 when they were transporting two trucks of cattle. Interestingly James’ paternal gt-grandmother Eleanor Darling had also run a pub, The Dove Inn, which was also on Rickergate.

    On leaving school James joined the family cab business. He married Aida Agnes Kellet in 1913; they had a house on Petteril Street. Aida’s family had lived on Rickergate for years too.

  • Academic Record:

     James attended the Grammar School 1903-5

  • War Service:

    James first served in the Royal Army Service Corps (R.A.S.C.) His deployment to this branch of the Army makes perfect sense given his experience with the family cab firm. The R.A.S.C. was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; of all non ordnance supplies for the army e.g. food, water, fuel, and clothing.

    At some point James was transferred to the Gloucester Regiment. In November 1917 the regiment went to Italy and returned to France in September 1918 It was attached to the 75th Brigade in the 25th Division. It seems likely that James died in the Battle of the Selle.

    On October 24, the Battalion War Diary recorded:-

    Fine. C9.15. the Battalion was relieved by the KING’S OWN SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY  & withdrew to & concentrated at PLAQUET BRIFAUT, moving back to POMMEREUIL at 20.00 hrs. arriving into cellars at 21.00 hrs.

     

    James Graham was one of six fatalities from the battalion that day, and they were probably killed during the relief. He is buried at Pommereuil. The poet Wilfred Owen died ten days later in the same area.

  • Battalion:

    Royal Army Service Corps M2/200554

    Gloucester Regiment 38797

  • Other:

    James left £200; presumably his widow Aida Agnes was the beneficiary. Prior to her marriage Aida had been a school teacher, so maybe she returned to teaching after his death. In 1927 she married Thomas Dick Craig a Scot who had a fine war record; he had enlisted as a private and had ended the war as an acting captain in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Thomas was the son of a Minister and had been born in Kirkcudbright. He is recorded variously as a commercial traveller and confectioner. Unfortunately he was declared bankrupt in 1936. He died in Dumfries Infirmary ten years later aged 52. Aida died just three years later in 1949 in Whitby. She left £361 2s 5d. Probate was granted to James’ spinster sister Mary Teresa Catherine Graham. We could not find any evidence that Aida had children with either husband.  The family  had R.I.P. inscribed on his gravestone.

  • Sources:

    www.Ancestry.co.uk England & Wales National Probate Calendar 1858-1966:

    WW1 medal Rolls Index Cards

    Census:

    1861: RG9/3914/3919

    1871: RG10/5220

    1881: RG11/5157/116/4

    1891: RG12/4288

    1901: RG13/4867

    1911: RG14/31324/0379 & RG14/31324/0073

    CGS Memorial Register

    CWGC

    The London Gazette

    Cumberland News 9/11/1918

    Cumberland News Archives of the Carlisle Journal 1873

    www.carlislehistory.co.uk

    www.freebmd.org.uk