Current Information:

Born-Westminster

12th Division, including 8th Royal Fusiliers of 36 Brigade, had been involved in the momentous battle taking place on the Somme during July and early August, 1916, but then had moved a bit further north to the area around Arras to hold the line there. On 19th September, 1916, 8th Royal Fusiliers left their billets in Dainville and took over the front line trenches in the Agny sector. The Battalion Diary is not very forthcoming about this period in the line other than saying it was wet and cold and that parties went out all night for unspecified purposes. It also records that things were quiet, but obviously not quiet enough for Stephen James who was killed in action on this day.