James Tucker was born on 17 December, 1879, at 3 Wallington Place, in Walcot Grove, Stoke Newington, Surrey, the eldest of eight known children to James Tucker, a wax figure maker, and Louisa Tucker (formerly Charman). He was baptised on 11 January, 1880, at St. Mary's Church, in Stoke Newington.
He had three brothers and four sisters: Louisa Elizabeth Jane (1881); Sidney (1884); Cecil John (1886); Helen Catherine (1887); Eva Clara (1890); Laura Ethel (1893); and Leopold (1895). [Sidney Tucker was to serve as a sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Leopold Tucker was to serve as a private in the Manchester Regiment.]
By 1891 the family had moved to the northwest of England and were living at 39 Dorset Road, in West Derby, Liverpool, and ten years later at 35 Russell Street, in Manchester.
In 1901 James Tucker was employed as a billiard marker.
On 10 September, 1904, James Tucker married Lucy Plews at St. Peter's Church in Levenshulme, Manchester, at which time James was employed as a wax artist, and living with his bride at 30 Watson Street.
By 1911 he was living with his family at 92 Old Elm Street, in Ardwick, Manchester, described as being a wax figure cleaner. They were to have three children: Elsie (1905); James Leopold (1907); and Leslie (1909).
James Tucker enlisted on 13 November, 1915, at Manchester, as a private, no. 31394. He was aged 35 years and 11 months, and described as being: 5' 5" tall, with brown hair; brown eyes; a fresh complexion; and a chest measurement of 33"/35".
He was posted to the 25th (Reserve) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, which had been formed in September, 1915: in the November moved to Prees Heath in the 16th Reserve Brigade, and then to Southport in the December.
On 5 May, 1916, James Tucker was posted to the 18th (Service) (3rd City (Pals)) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, in France. The battalion was part of the 90th Brigade in the 30th Division.
During the period 2-12 June the battalion had provided working parties under the direction of the Royal Engineers in Billon Wood, and then moved to Etineham in Divisional Reserve.
On 19 June it moved to Saisseval to conduct training. However, James Tucker spent over a month at the Infantry Base Depot, at Etaples, and did not join the 18th Battalion until 21 June, one of 48 other ranks who joined on that day.
The battalion then moved back to Etienham on 27 June, and on 30 June it proceeded to its assembly trenches.
On 1 July, 1916, the battalion took part in the attack at Montauban, which was captured. The battalion lost just 6 officers wounded (one of whom died) and 170 other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.
The next day the battalion occupied Train Alley, which was the old German support line. On 3 July it was relieved an withdrew to Happy Valley, and then spent the next two days providing burying parties to clear the battlefield.
On 8 July the battalion moved up to the old British front line trenches north of Maricourt, in support of the 21st Brigade, which was attacking Trones Wood.
The battalion then began a series of operations, which continued until 11 July, and resulted in the battalion losing: 2 officers killed; 1 died of wounds; and 8 wounded; and 266 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.
The battalion was relieved at 5.00 am on 11 July and proceeded via Bray to Bois des Celestines, and thence to billets at Daours.
On 13 July a draft of 440 other ranks from 28 different units, joined the battalion as reinforcements. The battalion was then reorganised and trained.
James Tucker enlisted on 13 November, 1915, at Manchester, as a private, no. 31394. He was aged 35 years and 11 months, and described as being: 5' 5" tall, with brown hair; brown eyes; a fresh complexion; and a chest measurement of 33"/35".
He was posted to the 25th (Reserve) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, which had been formed in September, 1915: in the November moved to Prees Heath in the 16th Reserve Brigade, and then to Southport in the December.
On 5 May, 1916, James Tucker was posted to the 18th (Service) (3rd City (Pals)) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, in France. The battalion was part of the 90th Brigade in the 30th Division.
During the period 2-12 June the battalion had provided working parties under the direction of the Royal Engineers in Billon Wood, and then moved to Etineham in Divisional Reserve.
On 19 June it moved to Saisseval to conduct training. However, James Tucker spent over a month at the Infantry Base Depot, at Etaples, and did not join the 18th Battalion until 21 June, one of 48 other ranks who joined on that day.
The battalion then moved back to Etienham on 27 June, and on 30 June it proceeded to its assembly trenches.
On 1 July, 1916, the battalion took part in the attack at Montauban, which was captured. The battalion lost just 6 officers wounded (one of whom died) and 170 other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.
The next day the battalion occupied Train Alley, which was the old German support line. On 3 July it was relieved an withdrew to Happy Valley, and then spent the next two days providing burying parties to clear the battlefield.
On 8 July the battalion moved up to the old British front line trenches north of Maricourt, in support of the 21st Brigade, which was attacking Trones Wood.
The battalion then began a series of operations, which continued until 11 July, and resulted in the battalion losing: 2 officers killed; 1 died of wounds; and 8 wounded; and 266 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.
The battalion was relieved at 5.00 am on 11 July and proceeded via Bray to Bois des Celestines, and thence to billets at Daours.
On 13 July a draft of 440 other ranks from 28 different units, joined the battalion as reinforcements. The battalion was then reorganised and trained.
In May, 1919, it was reported by the War Office that James Tucker's grave had been located two miles southwest of Combles.
However, he does not appear to have been re-buried in a marked grave, and thus, having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, on the Somme, in France.
His name has not been identified on any local war memorial.
DONATE TO OUR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Your donation supports projects like this one, which educate and involve future generations in remembering those who fell in the two world wars. Your support helps us keep their stories alive. Thank you.
