James, Howard

Howard James was born on May 13, 1895, to Philip James and Elizabeth Whimp. His father passed away when Howard was 5 years old, leaving behind himself, his older brother Thomas, two half-sisters Elizabeth and Katie and his mother. Shortly after his father died his mother reverted back to her maiden name. By 1901 Howard, Thomas and their mother were living at 8 Henry Street in Strathroy and by 1911 to support the family Elizabeth took in a number of lodgers.

Howard, also known as Whitey, attested in the 135th on November 23rd, 1915 and listed himself as the sole supporter of his mother. By this time his brother Thomas had started a family of his own
On the May 7th, 1916 while training in London he succumbed to septic pneumonia at the Military Hospital. He was buried in the Strathroy Cemetery with full military honours.