Remembering First World War survivor from Steyning

The 1911 census recorded him living in High Street, Steyning, with his father, Henry, a gardener, mother Fanny, two younger sisters and two younger brothers.

Harry James was 16 and a gardener like his father.

He was married in 1918 to Caroline Winton, with whom he had seven children.

Caroline died in 1951 and Harry married Hilda Kingsland in 1957.

In the First World War, he served with the Royal Sussex Regiment Labour Corps, and was one of the last survivors of those who served at Gallipoli in 1915.

He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

After the war he worked for the War Graves Commission for seven years, in France, living there with his family.

After returning to Upper Beeding, he worked locally as a market gardener and landscaper, keeping records of the weather for over 50 years and reporting them to the Meteorological Office.

He also served on the parish council and was its chairman for many years.

In 1973, he helped to restart the Beeding & Bramber Horticultural Society and was its president from 1974 until his death in 1986, aged 91.

• If you would like to share any photos or memories of relatives who served in the First World War, please get in touch. Send your memories and photos to James Connaughton, via email to [email protected], send them by post or pop into Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA. Telephone 01903 282351.