James STEEL was born in 1895 in Shorne (Kent), the sixth child of James Steel and Anna Maria nee HUSSEY. His parents had married in St Michael’s Church East Wickham on 22nd August 1885. They were both from East Wickham. James Senior was a farm labourer and fathered 14 children with the same wife. They must have been of a very good stock because the 1911 census says that the 14 children were still all alive, the youngest been 1 year old, and the oldest, 25, something quite exceptional in those days in such a large family.
The family moved very often because of where work was available, and we can follow this through the birthplaces of the children and 3 censuses. Perhaps a listing will show this more clearly (the letters M, J, S and D represent the quarter of birth registration):
- S1886, William James in East Wickham
- M1888, Stephen Joseph in Bexleyheath
- J1890, Elizabeth in East Wickham
Census 1891 in Northfleet, 1 Speflt? (unreadable on original) Cottages, London Road - J1891, Ernest Alfred in Gravesend
- M1894, Edward Charles in Bexley
- M1895, James in Shorne
- J1896, Norman in Gravesend.
- J1898, Ethel in Snodland.
- M1900, Charles Henry in Higham
Census 1901 in Dartford, 10 Denton Terrace - J1901, Albert in Dartford
- J1903, John in Swanscombe
- M1906, Edith Vera in Wrotham
- J1908, Arthur Reuben in Halstead
- M1910, Bessie in Chelsfield
So the family stayed in Kent but moved at least every 1 or 2 years, and James must have remembered many different places from his childhood.
On the 1911 census, the three older siblings have already left home, and his older brother Stephen was already in the Army, but James, aged 16, was still with his parents, and worked as a florist hand in a nursery near Welling. They were living at 40 Talfourd Road, Welling (later renamed as Springfield Road).
James enlisted in Woolwich in the Royal Field Artillery. His number was 82748. He was a gunner in the 100th Brigade Ammunition Column attached to the 22nd Division. This Division was part of the New Army which was formed at the behest of Lord Kitchener. It was part of K3. In other words, the third hundred thousand men to volunteer. It was sent to the Balkans on 15th October 1915. James’s medal card says he entered the theatre of war on 25th October 1915. In 1917 James and his brigade were involved in the First battle of Doiran in Salonika. This battle started on 22nd April and went on until 8th May 1917. The Division lost 7,728 men killed, wounded or missing but many thousands died of malaria, dysentery and other diseases which were rife in Salonika.
James was wounded during this battle and died on the 27th April 1917 (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) or 28th (according to Soldiers Died in the Great War), aged 23, although his other records would indicate he was 22 years old. His medal card mentions only “Dead”. He received the 15-Star Medal, the British and the Victory medals. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece (grave A. 142). His service records did not survive the Blitz. In his will dated 19th February 1917, James left “all my property and effects to Mrs M Steel, 34 Springfield Road, Welling”.
His death was announced in the local Observer on 8th June 1917:
The announcement was received with much regret of the death of Private James Steele (sic), R.F.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. Steele, 34, Springfield-road, Welling, as the result of wounds received in action in Salonica, where he had been for a year and a half. Like his brothers, he joined up at the commencement of the war and Mr. and Mrs. Steele were the first in the district to receive the King’s congratulations on their patriotrism in giving six sons to the service of the country. The deceased, who was 23 years of age, was the first of the family to make the great sacrifice, though some of the others have had wonderful escapes. Corporal Joseph Steele, who was suffering from a schrapnel wound, was in hospital in Northampton and has gone to France for a second time, as also has Private Ernest Steele, who was buried alive by a shell. One other, William Steele. (2nd Royal West Kents) has been on active service for eight years, having been drawn from India for the war, and whilst in action his rifle was smashed to pieces and his helmet riddled with bullets, though the solidier escaped unhurt. Another son is left to join up shortly. Mrs Steele’s sitting-room is quite an Army picture gallery with the portraits of her gallant sons, and the parents, whilst being sympathised with in their present trouble, are justly proud of their patriotic family.
The family were living at 34, Springfield Road in Welling by the time James was commemorated on the CWGC Roll of Honour.
All nine of the Steel brothers served in the war. James and his brother Stephen lost their lives. The following article appeared in a local paper (date probably around 1935, William James being born in 1886) some years after the end of the war:
BROTHERS IN ARMS – WELLING FAMILY’S RECORD
NINE SERVED— AND TWO FELL.Some time ago it was disclosed that Mr. H. Rogers, the treasurer of the East Wickham and Welling branch of the British Legion, was one of .seven brothers who fought in the World War. He believed at the time that this was a record .for the district, but it now appears that the Steels, an old Welling family, did even better. Nine brothers served in the war. Two were killed, and one was bought out, because he was under age.
A Kentish Times reporter called on one of the brothers, Mr. William James Steel, of Cambridge Avenue, Welling Mr. Steel stated, that he served twelve years in the Army abroad. He was due to retire when the war broke out, but had to carry on. He is now 49 years old, and is employed by the Bexley Urban District Council.
THE BULLET THAT PASSED ON
He was in the 2nd Battalion Royal West Kents, and served in Persia, Turkey, India and the Dardanelles. He had many narrow escapes during the war. Once a stray bullet went through, his helmet and continued its career. On another occasion a missile struck the rifle he was holding, and split it in two.“The bullet,” he said, “just rattled and passed on. I laughed afterwards.”
The brothers who served were; William James (30), 2nd Battalion Royal West Kents, serving in the Dardanelles, where he has had several narrow escapes. A shell smashed his rifle and a bullet went through his helmet, Joseph (27), Royal West Kents, wounded at Mons; Ernest (25), 20th London County Regiment, invalided home from France; Edward (24), Royal Field Artillery, serving in France; James (21), RFA. in Serbia; Norman (19), R.F.A. in France; Albert (23), Royal West Kents; Charles (16). Royal Navy (bought out); John (20). Royal West Kents. Joseph was wounded twice and later killed. James was also killed at Salonica.
THE PROUD PARENTS
The proud parents are still alive. Mrs. Steel is aged 68, and Mr. Steel is aged 82. They live in Springfield-road. Welling. Before that they, lived at Shoulder-of-Mutton Green with Mr. Steel’s parents. For generations the family have lived in Welling. They believe they are one of the oldest Welling families.Mr. William Steel, the eldest son, can remember the circus days of Bexley Heath, and when Welling was a small village. He often used to go “scrumping” for apples and plums. He has – two sons and four daughters.
[NB. The ages given by the paper in this article correspond to the time of the war, c. 1915-1917 and possibly refer to the age at which each son enlisted, but John was only 9 in the 1911 census, born at the beginning of 1903. If he enrolled in the RWKR, he was probably younger than 20 and lied about his age… or the paper made a typing error…]
Commemorated
Links
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to James Steel, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.