Mc GARRY, James, Private 4830, 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment, died 19th September 1919 aged 48. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of John and Anne McGarry, of Thirsk and husband of Amy Helena Dukes (formerly McGarry), of Willow Farm, Scagglethorpe, Malton, Yorks. King and Queen's South African Medal with seven Bars. He is at rest in Thirsk Cemetery, Yorkshire. Some notes from what remains of his Army record. He enlisted on the 17th February 1896 into the King's Royal Rifle Corps, and transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment on the 21st December 1896. He was aged 24 years and 8 months, lived at Thirsk and was a drapers assistant. He was posted to the Depot 26th January 1897. On the 1st May 1904 he extended his service to complete 8 years with the colours. The 9th December 1905 same for 12 years with the colours and on the 12th September 1908 whilst with the 3rd Battalion extended to 21 years with the colours. The last time he extended his service with the 3rd battalion was on the 16th February 1918.
He served in South Africa from the 20th October 1899 to 2nd June 1904. He married Amy Helena nee Dunning on the 7th November 1908 at York and had one issue. He was diagnosed by an army doctor with having carcinoma and on the 25th February 1919 he went into hospital in York. He got worse and was transferred to Leeds General Hospital on the 17th April 1919. At the hospital he was examined by a medical board and it was stated in the opinion of the Medical Board, 'disease steadily progressive and is likely to end fatally within a few weeks' dated 16th May 1919. He was discharged the same day to his home at Tilling Fields, Scragglethorpe, Malton, Yorkshire with Gastric Carcinoma aggravated by service during present war.
He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal and Clasp. for battles Relief of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights, Laing's Nek clasp, inscribed Orange Free State, King's South African Medal with clasp 1901 and 02. Awarded medal for long service and good conduct. He had served 22yrs and 51 days.
