Person

James Christopher was born on the 17th April 1892 in Hutton Henry. In his youth, however, he seems to have been relocated to West Hartlepool, where he resided at 78 Cumberland Street with his parents George and Margaret, and his eight siblings; William, John Robert, Richard, Myra, Thomas, Jenny, Albert and Arthur Septimus. This information is confirmed in the 1901 census, which besides the record of James’ birth, provides the first record of his life.

By 1911 he had moved out of the family home, and was based with his older brother, John Robert and his family in Stockton on-Tees. The census for that year cites him as a ‘boarder’ in a house headed by John Robert, who lived there with his wife Mary Hannah and daughter Dorothy Mary. At this time both James and John Robert were listed as working as general labourers, which would seem to differ slightly from their father’s occupation as a bricklayer.

At some point after 1911 though, Christopher would leave his life in England behind to embark upon a new life in Australia. His reasons for travelling are unclear, and it is also unknown whether he travelled alone. By 1915 Christopher, like many others, left his civilian life behind to enlist in the armed forces and support the war effort. Enlistment papers confirm that he volunteered for service in January 1915 at his local branch in Sydney. Useful details regarding his life are provided on the forms, including his occupation which is stated as a miner. This employment would perhaps have afforded him a slightly higher standard of living than he experienced in England. Information regarding Christopher’s physical appearance is also provided through a certificate of medical examination, which states his weight at 5ft 5 inches, and his weight at 166lb. He also held a dark complexion, with dark hair.

Christopher’s military service would begin in May of 1915, when he travelled from Sydney to Europe aboard the H.M.S. Themistocles. He assumed the rank of private in the 17th battalion. Sadly, though, his war would be over within a matter of months. While serving in Gallipoli in August Christopher was reported as missing. An investigation would eventually be launched in 1917, in which a Board of Inquiry was established to try and discover the whereabouts of several men who had been lost during an incident in Gallipoli. Witness accounts suggest that Christopher was taking part in a charge towards Turkish trenches, when he was likely struck by enemy fire. A member of his platoon, Sergeant Gilbert, reported that he saw Christopher around 30 yards from Turkish trenches, when, in his opinion, he was probably killed. It is unclear if his body was ever discovered. However, his death was confirmed eventually as a result of the enquiry.

There is no indication that Christopher was married, and so any belongings or money was likely returned to his father. Unfortunately, James was not the only member of his family to be killed in the war, with his brother John Robert dying in Flanders in 1916.

Civil Parish: Billingham

Birth date: 17-Apr-1892

Death date: 27-Aug-1915

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 78 Cumberland Street, West Hartlepool (1901 census)
27 Wynyard Terrace, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees (1911 census)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: General labourer (1911 census)
Miner (enlistment papers)

Family: Parents- George Christopher, Margaret Christopher
Silings- William Christopher, John Robert Christopher, Richard Christopher, Myra Christopher, Thomas Christopher, Jenny Christopher, Albert Christopher and Arthur Septimus Christopher

Military service:

1915- Australian Imperial Force
private
17th battallion

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sam, Hartlepool