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S/8980 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)
James Hume was born in Sudbury in 1896, the eldest of four children of William Charles and Jane Hume. His father was a labourer in a local brickyard
Before enlisting on 15 March 1915 James was employed as an ironmonger’s assistant and living at 1 Brands Yard, Church Street with his father. James was posted to the 5th Battalion before transferring to the 8th Battalion in France on 30 June 1915. His service records describe him as 5ft 1½ ins in height, grey eyes, brown hair with a 34 inch chest and fresh complexion.
He served on the front for seven weeks before receiving a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his left hand on 19 August 1915. He was tried by Field General Court Martial on 30 August and from his records it appears that he was found guilty of ‘neglect to the prejudice tc’ and given three months Field Punishment No. 1. Field Punishment No. 1 would mean that he would be shackled in irons and secured to a fixed object for two out of twenty four hours ( one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon) for three out of four days for up to 21 days of his sentence. James was sent back to England as a prisoner on 25 August 1915. However his military character in his discharge papers is given as very good and on 19 May 1916 he was ‘discharged as no longer physically fit for war service’. He was awarded the Silver War Badge, issued to military personnel who were honourably discharged due to wounds or illness from their military service.
After his discharge James lived at 14 Gregory Street and he died age 23 on 12 February 1919 and was buried in Sudbury Cemetery (Plot DD 154) on 17 February 1919.
James was also awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
A Cross of Remembrance is laid by his grave each year on Remembrancetide.
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