I have discovered many military records for my clients. But recently seeing the name of my great uncle in the Victory Medal (1919) Roll and several other military registers was a poignant experience. The tragic story of James Coward (1888-1917) was the most emotional research I have ever undertaken. I discovered the reasons why he didn't initially join-up at the outbreak of WW I and my further investigation revealed why James was except from later enlistment. But tragically, he became a victim of The White Feather Campaign, when during a train journey home from work, a woman dropped a white feather in his lap - a symbol of cowardice.
James felt utterly humiliated and ashamed. Even though he had been recently widowed and had a dependent child (which would probably have exempted him) he immediately joined-up. James enlisted in Wood Green, London on the 13th October 1916. He was given the military number 24680 and was sent to the 1st Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. In less than 12 months he had been killed. He died of wounds received in action on 4th October 1917. James lies buried at Lijssenthentoek Military Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His grave reference is XX. D. 10.
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| James Henry Coward |
To read the whole story and an account of my research, please click here: James Coward and the White Feather.
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| James Coward, from the image above of the West Kent's Victory Medal Roll |
War Gratuity
War gratuity was introduced in December 1918 as a payment to be made to those men who had served in WW1 for a period of 6 months or more. In most cases the war gratuity was paid to men in lieu of service due under the Royal Pay Warrant, however, as the war gratuity was not introduced until 1918, many men had already been paid the service gratuity and therefore, when it was calculated, the war gratuity had to be adjusted.
The monies due were generally paid in to a Post Office Savings Account for each man who had to apply for a savings book. If the man had already died or had been discharged insane an alternative payment method could be used.
Below is the War Gratuity book showing my Great Uncle, James Henry Coward (1888-1917).
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| War Gratuity showing James Coward |
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| Detail of payments to Hariett Coward (his mother) |
Page Details
Soldiers Name:Coward, James Henry
Regiment/Rank:
Royal West Kent, Private
Date and Place of Death:
4th October 1917, France
Account and Date:
Hounslow, December 1917, February 1918
Credits:
£2 pounds 2 shillings
4 shillings and 4 pence.
£3 pounds
Charges:
£2 pounds 6 shillings and 4 pence
Date of Authority:
5th June 1918
5th December 1919
To Whom Authorised:
Mo (Mother) Harriet D (Harriet Diana Coward)
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| Edith Coward (standing) with her Grandparents |
The War Gratuity Book that I discovered shows that it was James’s mother, Harriet Coward née Elsden (1863-1947) who received the payments.
Now that both her parents were dead, James's daughter Edith, was raised by her grandmother Harriet and grandfather Walter Coward (1861-1936). Edith later married William J. Philips at the beginning of 1935 (Islington 1b 218) and Ronald T. Franks in the spring of 1956 (Islington 5c1700).
In the early 1990's Edith was finally taken by her sons on an emotional visit to see her father's grave in Lijssenthentoek, Belgium.
To read the complete story please click here: James Coward and the White Feather.
