Rance, James Edward Weeks

Age: 42
Date of birth: 28th January 1898

Parents: Major George and Mrs Elizabeth Frances Weeks
Wife: Nora Elizabeth Rance nee Black
Address: Not known

Occupation: Career soldier with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment

James was born on 28th January 1898 and baptised in St Nicholas Church in Warwick on 19th March 1898.

He was born into a large military family who travelled all over the world. The 1901 census shows the family living at 3 Upper Cape in Warwick. The children at the time were Winifred (16 born in India), Georgina (14 born in Guernsey), George (12 born in Folkstone), Frederick (9 born in India), Marjorie (7 born in Ceylon), James himself (3 and born in Warwick), Douglas (9 months born in Colchester).

By 1911, many of the older children had left home, although James is still living with his parents, who are now living 32 Rosehill Road, Burnley. Another brother, Reginald (7 born in Warwick).

James married Nora Elizabeth Black in Q3 1939 in Aldershot. They went on to live in Leamington, where Nora lived for the rest of her life. She died in 1974 and never remarried.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Major, 15472
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Brigade/Division:
Date of death: 27-29th May 1940
Cause of death/Battle: Not known
Commemorated/Buried: Buried in Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Row B Grave 21
Awards:
Commemorated locally at:

James was a career soldier, following in the footsteps of his father, who also achieved the rank of Major. He fought in WWI with the RWR, where he gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He remained with the regiment between the wars and was in India by 1922.

James is buried in Nord, France:

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group

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