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James William Gould (1899-1918)


From New Herrington. Killed in action with 15 DLI four days before the Armistice.


James Gould was born in Witton Gilbert in January 1899, the son of a coal miner. In 1916, he was living with his family in New Herrington and working underground as a putter in a local colliery. On 28 October 1916, James, not yet 18-years-old, was attested (enrolled) in the Army, but, as he had an important job and was underage, he was not mobilised (called-up for service) until May 1918.

After training with the 3rd Battalion DLI at South Shields, 95699 Private Gould was posted to France on 12 October 1918 and joined ‘B’ Company of the 15th (Service) Battalion DLI a few days later.

James Gould was killed in action on 7 November 1918 during the 15th Battalion’s attack at Limont Fontaine. This was the battalion’s last battle of the Great War.

Originally, most of 15 DLI’s casualties of this attack were buried near where they fell. Later they were reburied at Dourlers in an extension of the village cemetery.

For further information:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/581322/gould,-james-william/

North East War Memorials Project: http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=7535#listlink

Civil Parish: West Herrington

Birth date: 12-Jan-1899

Death date: 7-Nov-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 1911 Census: 2 Wellington Row, Philadelphia, County Durham.
1916: 10 Bridge Row, New Herrington, County Durham.

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Putter

Family: Parents: Arthur & Jane Gould

Military service:

95699 Private James William Gould, 15th (Service) Battalion DLI.
Attested, aged 17 years & 10 months, on 28 October 1916. Mobilised 30 May 1918 and posted to 3 DLI at South Shields.
After training posted to France on 12 October 1918 and joined 15 DLI.
Killed in action with 'B' Company 15 DLI on 7 November 1918.

Medal(s): British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Memorial(s): Buried: Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Memorial Screen: St Aidan’s Church, West Herrington.

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office