2nd/Lieutenant James Bardsley MC
Royal Fusiliers attatched to Royal Engineers
Lived at 9 Arkwright Street
Burnley Express 27th April 1918

Milirary Cross, London Gazette 4th March 1918

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. On learning that a small party were holding out between our front line and the enemy positions, he went forward to reconnoitre. He took command of ther party and held the position against enemy attacks for several hours until he was severely wounded. He continued to send back valuable information, and showed splendid courage and initiative throughout."

He served with 7th Royal Fusilliers (City of London Regiment). He was a teacher and before the war did his training at the St John's Teacher Training College Battersea London from 1910 which may account for the regiment he served with, although he never forget Burnley looking out for the football results every Saturday.

I remember him when I was small he died in 1967. They lived in Hove when I knew them but has spent his time teaching in Haywards Heath Sussex previously. My Grandmother Elizabeth (ne Hudson) was also from Nelson and they had been advised to move to southern England after the war due to his wound.

I understand he was very badly wounded during the engagement when he was wounded and was not expected to survive. 30 Dec 1917. He spent 7 years in hospital after the war being treated for the wound and it continued to have an impact for the rest of his life with operations to close it again periodically, although he did reach 77.

I understand the medal was awarded to him by the King at the Palace in 1919. The medal was left to me as a small boy in his will and is a treasured family possession.

I also enclose a copy of his medical discharge certificate from 1920.

(Courtesy of his Grandson Ian Bardsley)