James PARK

Private 4315

12th Battalion

Highland Light Infantry

Panel on Dalserf War Memorial

Cap Badge of the Highland Light Infantry

JAMES PARK, Private 4315, 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial.

JAMES is named on the Dalserf War Memorial, Ashgillhead.

JAMES is a cousin of WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF (also named on the same Panel).
His mother, ELLEN McDADE HAMILTON, b 29 Jul 1869 at Dykehead Colliery, Ferniegair, Hamilton, is a sister of WILLIAM BICKERSTAFF's mother JANE (MARTHA) HAMILTON, b 9 Mar 1866 at New Machan, Larkhall.

JAMES HAMILTON PARK was born at Birkenshaw, Larkhall, on 2nd February, 1897.

His parents were Frederick King Park, a Coal Miner, and Ellen McDade Hamilton, who were married at Quarter on 5th June, 1896.
His paternal grandparents were James Torrance Park, a Yarn Dyer, and Margaret Mowbray.
His maternal grandparents were William Hamilton, a Coal Miner, and Mary McDade.

The 1901 BIRKENSHAW, LARKHALL, Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at Birkenshaw, Larkhall, as follows:
Frederick Park, age 39, Head, Stone Miner, b Cambusnethan.
Helen Park, age 31, Wife, b Dalserf.
JAMES PARK, age 4, Son, b Dalserf.
Mary Park, age 2, Daughter, b Dalserf.
William Park, age 3 months, Son, b Dalserf.

The 1911 BIRKENSHAW, LARKHALL, Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at Old Birkenshaw, Larkhall, as follows:
Fred Park, age 49, Head, Coal Miner, b Dalziel.
Helen Park, age 42, Wife, b Larkhall.
JAMES PARK, age 14, Son, Colliery Labourer, b Dalserf.
Mary Park, age 12, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall.
William Park, age 10, Son, Scholar, b Dalserf.
Adam Park, age 6, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall.

JAMES joined the 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry as Private 4315, and went to France on 26th October, 1915. He was later transferred to the 12th Battalion.

JAMES was Killed-In-Action on 18th June, 1916, age 19.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for JAMES shows that he is buried at VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. There are 1,948 identified casualties buried at VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY.

JAMES is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that JAMES was born in Dalserf, lived in Larkhall, and enlisted in Hamilton.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for JAMES shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC is dated 26th October, 1915, and shows that he went to France on that date.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his father Frederick received his Outstanding Pay of £2/2/7, and a War Gratuity of £4/-/-.
 

A clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 22nd July, 1916, page 1, reads:
"PARK - Killed in action, on 18th June, Private James Park, H.L.I., aged 19 years, eldest and beloved son of Fred and Helen Park, of Birkenshaw, Larkhall.

'Far from his home, 'neath a foreign sky,
His comrades saw him drop and die;
They laid him in a soldier's grave,
Man's skill had failed his life to save'

'Perhaps some comrade breathed a prayer,
Ere death for ever closed his eyes,
Though we are here, our hearts are where
Our gallant soldier laddie lies.'

'Duty is hard, yet must be done,
For Liberty's cause we gave our son;
Sleep on, dear Jimmie, thy task is o'er,
Yet we hope to meet on a brighter shore.'

'Till the bugle calls.'"

A clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 22nd July, 1916, page 5, reads:
"KILLED IN ACTION - Mr and Mrs Fred Park, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, have received official notice that their son, Pte. James Park, H.L.I., was killed by a sniper on 18th June. He enlisted in April last year, and had been abroad for about ten months. Pte. Park was 19 years of age, and previous to enlisting was employed in Cornsilloch Colliery.
<snip>".

Lest We Forget!

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for the award of The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. 

Entry in SDGW

Soldier's Effects record

Entry in the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle

Clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 22 Jul 1916, page 1, reads:
"PARK - Killed in action, on 18th June, Private James Park, H.L.I., aged 19 years, eldest and beloved son of Fred and Helen Park, of Birkenshaw, Larkhall.

'Far from his home, 'neath a foreign sky,
His comrades saw him drop and die;
They laid him in a soldier's grave,
Man's skill had failed his life to save'

'Perhaps some comrade breathed a prayer,
Ere death for ever closed his eyes,
Though we are here, our hearts are where
Our gallant soldier laddie lies.'

'Duty is hard, yet must be done,
For Liberty's cause we gave our son;
Sleep on, dear Jimmie, thy task is o'er,
Yet we hope to meet on a brighter shore.'

'Till the bugle calls.'"

Clipping taken from The Hamilton Advertiser dated 22 Jul 1916, page 5, reads:
"KILLED IN ACTION - Mr and Mrs Fred Park, Birkenshaw, Larkhall, have received official notice that their son, Pte. James Park, H.L.I., was killed by a sniper on 18th June. He enlisted in April last year, and had been abroad for about ten months. Pte. Park was 19 years of age, and previous to enlisting was employed in Cornsilloch Colliery.
<snip>".

CWGC Commemorative Certificate - old version

CWGC Commemorative Certificate - new version