21st Battalion Manchester Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 4 February 1918.

Kay was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 19 January 1918 reported, ONE OF THE 'CONTEMPTIBLE'S' A Burnley Military Medalist.

One of the first hundred thousand, Private James Wallace Kay (31), 8779, Manchester Regiment, of, 30, Cuthbert Street, Burnley, who is still going strong, finely typifies the spirit of the 'contemptable's'. Being on the Reserve when war was declared, he was called up at the beginning of hostilities, and was soon drafted to the front. Several times his prowess has been commented on. Now comes the news that he has won the Military Medal. Previously in 1914, he was awarded a star, and then, in April, 1917, a card of recognition was given to him, containing a note from his Major General, "Your commanding officer has informed me that you have distinguished yourself by your conspicuous bravery on April 2nd, 1917." Writing to his wife, Private Kay states, "I won the medal for the same thing I got the card for, taking messages under gun fire". In the course of his activities the soldier has twice been wounded, once rather seriously. He was first hit during the battle of Mons, "I have had four Christmases out now", he says. "I have not done bad since Mons in 1914.". Formerly Private Kay was a beamer at Hill Top Mill.