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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hampshire & Isle of Wight => Topic started by: dfk on Saturday 07 March 15 00:20 GMT (UK)

Title: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: dfk on Saturday 07 March 15 00:20 GMT (UK)
Looking for information regards a man named Albert Ebenezer James who won the DSM during the first world war, he was yeoman of signals and took part in the battle of Dover Straights ( I think that's what it was called) and the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918.
Would a photo of him exist someplace in the records? or with family in the Portsmouth area?.
He did have three children that I know of, one was the grandmother of my wife and her name was Elsie Dora James who died young about 24 years of age.
The other two I know nothing about but would love to find, they where called Cyril James born 1917 and Hilda Alice James born 1921 in Portsmouth.
Any help with our brick wall would be very welcome.

David
New Zealand.
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: keyboard86 on Saturday 07 March 15 01:21 GMT (UK)
Hi Albert Ebenezer James was born June qtr 1885 West Ham 4a 199

He married an Elsie S Course Dec qtr 1916 Portsmouth 2b 1055

The children that you mention can be found by going to Freebmd and putting in Births then Surname James Mothers Surname Course 1917 to 1921

Keyboard86
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: whiteout7 on Saturday 07 March 15 02:35 GMT (UK)
The IGI says Albert Ebenezzer James was born on the 24 May 1885 to Walter James and Emma Rachel at Leyton, Essex (West Ham)

In the 1911 census Albert Ebenezzer James was in the Navy aged 28, born in Leyton Essex.

In the 1911 there is an Emma Rachel James living in West Ham district born in 1853 (in Stepney) who could be his mother. (You can see this free today if you go to findmypast.co.uk)

What a great ancestor a D.S.M
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: EwshotLad on Saturday 07 March 15 07:54 GMT (UK)
If you can access Ancestry.com go to UK Royal Navy Seaman's Services Register 1900 to 1928. His whole Naval Record is recorded there from 1905 to 1925 when he was pensioned. He was born 15th April 1885 at Leyton Essex and was a Messenger when he enlisted

It says he earned the DSM which was listed in the London Gazette on 10 May 1917
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: crimea1854 on Saturday 07 March 15 15:02 GMT (UK)
DSM for Service in the Action Between H.M. Ships "Swift" and "Broke" and German Destroyers on the night of the 20th to 21st April, 1917.

http://www.maritimeoriginals.com/portfolio/view/the-dover-patrol-hms-swift-and-hms-broke-1917/ (http://www.maritimeoriginals.com/portfolio/view/the-dover-patrol-hms-swift-and-hms-broke-1917/)

Martin
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: seaweed on Saturday 07 March 15 20:10 GMT (UK)
If you do not have a subscription to ancestry.com his service records can be downloaded from here for £3.30
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7147852#imageViewerLink
As far as I am aware a personal photograph would not be included with his service record.
Title: Re: Albert Ebenezer James DSM, Royal Navy
Post by: dfk on Sunday 08 March 15 07:59 GMT (UK)
Thanks everyone, think I can mve forward with this now.

Dave.