Main CPGW Record
Surname: MOLES
Forename(s): James
Place of Birth: Earby, Yorkshire
Service No: 28315
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 12th (Service) Battalion
Division: 3rd Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1916-08-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
James Moles was the son of Oliver and Hannah Moles, née Smith. Oliver was born at Bleary, Co. Down, Ireland and Hannah at Lothersdale, Yorkshire.
1901 Earby,Yorkshire Census: Higher Varges [Varjuice] - James Moles, aged 7 years, born Earby, son of Oliver and Hanna Moles.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: Lower Varjuice - James Moles, aged 17 years, born Earby, son of Oliver and Hannah Moles.
James was married to Amy Olive Hartley in 1915.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte James Moles, 28315, W. York. R. K. in A. 18.8.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte James Moles, 28315, 12th W. York. R. Killed in Action 18.8.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte James Moles, 28315, 12th Bn W. Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 18.8.16 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Amy O. £4 16s. 3d.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
MOLES, Alfred, aged 23, D.L.I., Mill Brow, [Earby], killed in action Aug. 18, 1916.
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Private James MOLES
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 3rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
13 October 1916
EARBY
Two Earby soldiers are reported missing– Pte. James Moles, since August 18th, and Pte. Percy Wharton (1/5th Duke of Wellington’s), since September 3rd.
17 November 1916
EARBY – KILLED AFTER SIX DAYS IN FRANCE
The death has been officially reported of Private Alfred Moles, of the Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action on August 18th, since which date he had previously been reported missing. He had only landed in France a week previous. Pte. Moles was 23 years of age and married, his wife residing at Mill Brow, Earby. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. R. Nutter & Co’s., Graves Shed.
01 December 1916
EARBY – THE LATE PRIVATE MOLES
There were several mistakes in our account of the death of Private Moles given in our columns on the 17th ult., the information supplied to our correspondent being faulty. The name should be Private James Moles (not Alfred), and he was attached to the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had been in France just a month (not one week), and one day in the trenches, and had been missing since August 18th. Mrs. Moles, who lives at 26, Mill Brow, Earby, was informed on the 13th from the War Office that her husband was now reported killed on the above named date.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
13 October 1916
EARBY CASUALTIES
Two Earby soldiers are reported missing – Pte. James Moles, since August 18th, and Pte. Percy Wharton (1st 5th Duke of Wellington’s) since September 3rd.
17 November 1916
MOLES – August 18th, in France, Alfred [James] Moles, of the Durham Light Infantry, of Mill Brow, Earby, aged 23.
17 November 1916
EARBY MAN KILLED AFTER SIX DAYS IN FRANCE
The death has been officially reported of Pte. Alfred [James] Moles, of the Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action on August 18th, since which date he had previously been reported missing. He had only landed in France a week previous. Pte. Moles was 23 years of age and married, his wife residing at Mill Brow, Earby. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. R. Nutter & Company’s Grove Shed.
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