James Thomas was born in 1894 in Duddon Cheshire, the son of James Thomas and Annie Harbridge (nee Shallcross). They married in Cheshire in 1893.
On the 1901 census it states that James Thomas was living in Barrow Cheshire with his father James Thomas 27, a farm labourer and his mother Annie 27. There were 3 children, James Thomas 6, Edwin 2, and Joyce 1.
There is also a Thomas Harbridge 6 grandson recorded on the 1901 census living at The Headless Women Inn in Duddon Cheshire with his Grandparents, George Shallcross 51, Publican, and his wife Betsy 54.
I have not been able to find James Thomas on the 1911 census, either living with his father, who by then was a Widower or his Grandparents. They are on the 1911 census living at the Hawarden Castle, The Warren, Broughton. It a mystery why James Thomas is recorded twice on the 1901 census but I’m sure they are the same person as his address on the Flintshire Roll of Honour card is The Warren Broughton and was signed by B Shallcross.
There are various records on www.ancestry.co.uk for James Thomas ‘UK, Soldier Died in the Great War, 1914-1919’ which states he enlisted at Flint and confirms his Rank, Regiment and Regimental number, its also states he was formerly in the RWF 2443 and ’British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index card 1914-1920’which confirms his medals.
I have been unable to find his Service Records on www.ancestry.co.uk
The index cards in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Records Office Hawarden states his address as The Warren, Broughton, Nr Chester. It also states the period of service was 3 years. It also states he was ‘missing’ Dec 3rd 1917. The card was signed on 15th January 1920 by B Shallcross his Grandmother.
James also appears on the Broughton War Memorial