James Simpson CAMERON. Late Regimental Sergeant Major, Royal Artillery. Died 21st March 1931 aged 65. At rest in Ta Braxia Cemetery, Malta.
Medal Card, Ancestry. WO1, 25710, 7th Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Enlisted on the 9th September 1914. Discharged from the army on the 7th October 1918.
Some notes from what remains of his army records.
He was born at Monaghan in the parish of St John, Tipperary, Ireland, he was 22 years, 6 months and was employed as a shopkeeper. He joined up on the 2nd December 1888 at Londonderry, Ireland and was posted to the Royal Artillery as Gunner 69683. He came up through the ranks, Bombardier on the 21st September 1889, Corporal on the 1st October 1890, Sergeant on the 1st January 1892. He extended his service with the colours to complete 12 years on the 5th December 1892, 13th April 1898, re-engaged to complete 21 years service with the colours. On the 19th August 1898 he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major.
He was awaiting trial on the 2nd July 1900, on the 7th July he was fined £1. Again for some reason he was awaiting trial on the 26th December 1900. The trial took place on the 5th January 1901, he was rank was reduced from C.S.M. to corporal. There are no records for either of his trials . 1st January 1902 he was posted to 11th Royal Artillery and on the 4th January he was transferred as Sergeant to the 1st Northumberland Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers). He was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on the 1st May 1906
His movement during this period are as follow.
Home (England) 29th November 1888 to 1st October 1891.
Malta, from the 2nd October 1891 to 31st October 1896.
Gibraltar from the 1st November 1896 to 21st January 1900.
South Africa (Boer War) 22nd January 1900 to 17th July 1900.
China, from the 18th July 1900 to 17th August 1901.
Home, 18th August 1901 to termination of his engagement with the colours on the 28th November 1909 after serving 21 years.
He married Mary Sarah Chaddock aged 27 on the 2nd September 1891 at Holy Trinity Church, Weymouth by L.S. Stanhope, Curate. They had the following children as recorded in his records.
Twins, Dorothy Annie Kate and Louisa Jane. Born in Malta on the 23rd August 1894 and baptised on the 13th September 1894 by Reverend George Smith, Chaplain to the Forces in Malta
Thomas. Born 1st July 1897 at Gibraltar , baptised 16th July 1897 by Reverend C Hart, Chaplain to the Forces in Gibraltar.
Alexander. Born 26th November 1899 in Gibraltar, baptised 8th December 1899 by Reverend P J Raymond, Chaplain to the Forces in Gibraltar.
GREAT WAR Period.
On the 8th September 1914 aged 48 years and 4 months he re-engaged to join the colours in at St Paul's Churchyard, London. His occupation was an estate agent and he lived with his wife at Peabody Estate, Southwark Street, London, S.E. He was given number 25710 and joined the Reserve Brigade, Royal Artillery. On the 9th September 1914 he was promoted to his previous rank of Company Sergeant Major. 29th October 1914 he was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major with the 250th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On the 14th May 1915 he was posted to the 16th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery, 29th May 1915 promoted to WO1 (RSM) with 174th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, then to the 40th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA on the 6th September 1915.
Posted to France on the 6th June 1916, then to Base Depot on the 14th September 1916. He was posted back to England on the 5th October 1916 and was posted to 5th (C) Reserve Brigade, Northern Command, 23rd October 1916 to the Depot at Ripon, 25th January 1917 posted to 4th (A) Reserve Brigade, Woolwich. On the 26th March 1917 he was posted 19th Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On the 7th October 1918 he was discharged and no longer physically fit to his home and family at Estate Office, Ernest Street, London, S.E. He had served 4 years and 29 days with the colours.
