James Elliott Waggott (1890-)
Durham University student served with 18th Battalion DLI (Durham Pals).
James Elliott Waggott was born on 21st of June 1890 at Bedlington Station, Northumberland.
While he was studying at Durham University he joined the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC). He applied for a commission in the army on 18th of March 1915. He gave his choices of regiment as 1) The Army Service Corps; 2) The Northumberland Fusiliers: or 3) The Durham Light Infantry. He was accepted for the latter and was commissioned into the 17th (Reserve) Battalion.
He joined the 18th DLI in France and then on 29th December 1917 he became the Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General (DAQMG) on the staff of Headquarters XIII Corps. He held this post until 15th of March 1918 when he became the Staff Captain Salvage still with HQ XIII Corps. By April 1917 he was Staff Captain Avesnes Sub Sector, in France, moving eventually to the Cambrai Sub Sector which he left on 24th October 1919 for demobilisation.
Two photographs of James Elliott Waggott are preserved:
In the first one, where he appears wearing civilian clothes, there is this message on the back: “7/9/1912 Kind regards Jim Waggott.”
On the second one the message on the card reads: “With Kind Regards, Your letter at hand this morning, I thank you for the kind wishes. I expect to get to Barnard Castle when I leave here, sorry we are not allowed time for writing letters Jim.”
Civil Parish: Durham Castle and Precincts
Birth date: 1890-Jun-21
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Railway Station, Bedlington, Northumberland (birth place, 1911 census)
Education: Durham University
Organisation membership: 17th (Reserve) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
18th DLI
Employment: Railway Clerk
Family: Grandfather: George Rutherford
Mother: Margaret Waggott
Aunt: Annie Rutherford
Military service:
Second Lieutenant
17th (Reserve) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Later 18th DLI
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer
