TANNER J H

From Hoole History and Heritage Society

TANNER, James Henry

James Henry TANNER

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps

Rank: Private

Number: 67238

Died: 12 July 1916

Aged: 25

Buried/Memorial: Thiepval Memorial

Address: 35 Lightfoot Street, Hoole



Cheshire Observer 26 August 1916

HOOLE RAMC MAN KILLED

We regret to announce that Mr S Tanner of 35 Lightfoot Street Hoole has received official news of the death of his son Pte J H Tanner of the RAMC. Prior to the War Tanner was employed at Messrs Wymans bookstall at the General Railway Station. Tanner answered the call to arms soon after the outbreak of the War joining the RAMC and went to the Front in November last. Deceased was 26 years of age. Mr Tanner has received the following letter from his son’s officer: - “Dear Sir – in reply to your letter of Aug 8th I very much regret to say that your son was killed by a shell in ------ Wood while in the performance of his duty as a stretcher bearer on the 12th July. He was killed instantaneously with another of his comrades. Heavy fighting was in progress and numbers of wounded were being removed and succoured. I would like to convey to you and to his mother my sincere sympathy in the loss you have sustained and I hope it will be a consolation to you to know that he met his end while bravely carrying help to the wounded. He has always been an excellent character in this unit and his loss was deplored by all ranks. With the sincere sympathy of us all in your great loss I remain yours truly  Officer Commanding RAMC.”

The 1911 Census shows James as a 20-year-old bookseller’s assistant living at 16 Milton Street with father James, mother Sarah and brothers John, Albert and William.