SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

James was born in Spratton in August 1879, the son of Henry Austin, a gardener and domestic servant, and his wife Sarah. James followed his father into domestic service and became a butler in one of the large houses in the village. After the death of his father, James continued to live at home with his widowed mother and his unmarried sisters, one of whom was also a domestic butler in 1911. The family lived in Woodbine Cottage in The Walk.

When James volunteered in 1915 he was 35 years of age. He served overseas with the 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment from July 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was wounded on 12 June 1918 and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He died in March 1958 in Daventry aged 78.