James Thomas Glasson

Corporal

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Husband of Evelyn Mary Gebbie (formerly Glasson), of Eyreton, Canterbury, New Zealand.

References:

CWGC

NZ WAR GRAVES

Public Contributions:

This James Glasson was born James Thomas Glasson on the 1st August 1884 at Temuka, South Canterbury. He was the son of Paul Roach Glasson (born Cornwall) and Emily Hyde Glasson nee Crompton. On the 2...1st December 1887 Paul Glasson, the local blacksmith, took his two sons on a shooting trip near Toomeys Bridge, Hilton and on the way stopped to talk to a local farmer, Mr Woodley. While the two men were talking the children played around their feet and one of the two children was thought to pull the trigger blowing away half of Paul Glasson's face and resulting in his death soon after. Emily Glasson returned to England and James was left with his uncle John Glasson in Penzance where he was brought up. Emily and the remaining two children, William and Mary Jane, returned to New Zealand in 1890. James Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy at Devonport on the 24th May 1902 for a period of engagment of 12 years. He was 5 foot, 3 1/2 inches tall, brown hair, hazel eyes and fair complexion. His occupation was listed as a steward. One of the ships James served on was HMS Wallaroo 3rd class cruiser, 2575 tons, ex. "Persian" Aux. Squadron Australian Station and NZ. 1891-1906. James first served on this ship on the 12th October 1902. On the 29th December 1902, while tied up at Port Chalmers, New Zealand, James ran from the ship. He was "recovered" and sentenced to 90 days detention. James then served on HMS Wallaroo again from the 24th May until the 16th June 2003. At this point he was put in the cells for 14 days as punishment for an unknown crime. Prior to this James had his character recorded as VG - (very good). Then on the 23rd July 1903 he was posted to HMS Phoebe, (a Pearl 3rd Class Cruiser similar to HMS Philomel), and three days later on the 26th July 1903 James was given 90 days punishment for insubordination. Following this, on the 18th December 1903, James faced a court martial for wilful disobedience. His service record finishes at this point so it is not clear how or when he was discharged. James joined up for service in World War One. He was attested at "The Drill Hall" in Hayle on the 13th April 1915. His birthplace was given as New Zealand, his current address as Market Street in Hayle, aged 30 years and 8 months, employed as a fitters labourer, was 5 feet five inches tall, and weighed 143 pounds. He stated that he was the son of Mrs Emily Lewis (who had been married a second time) of Woodstock Station in New Oxford, North Canterbury, New Zealand. On enlistment he joined the 10th Service Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Cornwall Pioneers) and his original service number was 20982. He remained in the UK until the 9th October 1915 when he joined the BEF in France. He was in France for 30 days before he returned to England on the 8th November 1915. By this time he had been promoted to Lance Corporal in the May of 1915 and Corporal in July of 1915 and had transferred to the Royal Engineers where his new service number became 132266. At this time he was with the 251 Tunnelling Company as a "tunnellers mate". He returned to France on the 12th February 1916 and stayed in France for 267 days before returning home again on the 5th November 1916. During this time he was admitted to a number of hospitals so it was clear that he had a medical problem. In fact he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis which finally led to his discharge. He was discharged on the 15th December 1916 and his service became non-effective the following day on the 16th December 1916. His forwarding address was Market Street, Copperhouse in Hayle. He stated that his intended vocation was a return to the National Explosive Works at Hayle, in particular the Cordite house. He married Mary Evelyn Martin in the Register Office, Redruth, Cornwall on the 24th February 1917. His service papers state that he died on the 6th January 1920. As this date was within the period of the official war years his headstone remains under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Following the death of James, his widow Mary departed the United Kingdom at Southampton on the 29th June 1922 aboard the steam ship Athenic with three sons; Percy, Victor and Kenneth. It is unlikely that Kenneth was the son of James Thomas Glasson however. Mary had been living at Barncross Place near Illogan prior to her emigration. Mary married John Gebbie in Kaiapoi in 1922. [Record since amended - NZWGT] Read More

Add a Story or Photo

Casualty

Service Number:

132266

Name:

James Thomas Glasson

Rank:

Corporal

Date of Birth:

01 August 1884

Place of Birth:

Canterbury, Temuka,

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Armed Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Engineers

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Not known

Date of Death:

06 January 1920

Day of Death:

Tuesday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Redruth (St. Uny) Churchyard Extension

Cemetery Reference:

1371

Cemetery Location:

United Kingdom