James Sorley
- Admin
- Dec 12, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 11
124842 Private
49th Brigade Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). It was amalgamated on 9 March 1918 to form No.16 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps and attached to 16th (Irish) Division
Age: 27
Date of Death: 15.4.18 DoW
Family history: James lived with his sister Mary Smith and brother-in-law John at 16 Union Street, Bainsford, Falkirk. Also living at the property was Mary’s four children and her other two brothers and sister. Prior to enlisting he was employed at a local iron foundry as a grate fitter.
The Machine Gun Corps was established in October 1915 by absorbing the Maxim and Vickers machine gun sections from all infantry battalions. These heavy machine guns were replaced by the lighter more mobile Lewis machine guns. The number of machine-gun companies in each division rose from three to four in 1917, and were grouped into a machine-gun battalion per division from early 1918. The 49th Machine Battalion were divisional troops and was formed from 254th Machine Gun Company from 1 March 1918. The units of the Machine Gun Corps were responsible for offensive and defensive fire support and were a prime target for enemy fire. The Machine Gun Corps was known as the suicide club as a result of the level of casualties, 62,000 out of 170,000 officers and men who served in the Corps. Charles would have known Private Charles Bell Craig from Stenhousemuir who also served in the 49th Battalion and was killed in action on 29 April 1918.
The action leading to his death
On the 3 April 1918 the 16th (Irish) Divisional Artillery and machine guns were left to cover the 14th (Light) Division when the 16th Division was relieved. During this time James was wounded and subsequently died of his wounds. He was buried in the cemetery associated with the Casualty Clearing Station located in the village of La Clytte. You can read more about the evacuation and treatment of the wounded
Medals Awarded
1915 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal
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