(3rd July 1915)
4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.
(at Krithia)
In Gallipoli, Lieutenant James was attached as liaison officer to the Royal Scots. When all the officers of a sector of the front line had been killed, he took command of the troops and reorganised them. He went back for help, and found on his return that the Turks had again attacked, and he undertook the task of again restoring the situation. Three days later, Lieutenant James was back with the Regiment, and leading a party of thirty men in a raid on a Turkish trench. The Turks fell back until they reached their main lines, and a fierce fight took place, in which all but four of our men became casualties. A messenger had been sent for reinforcements, but he had been killed.
A bomb killed the only two privates who were left, so, sending back Lance-Corporal Reece for help, Lieutenant James fell back, keeping the Turks at bay by bombing from each bend of the winding trench. Halfway back, where the trench was blocked by bodies, he found a wounded bomber, Private Parry, and here he piled sandbags on the top of the bodies, forming a barricade.
Lieutenant James won the VC at the age of 26. He later achieved the rank of Major. He died in London on the 15th August 1958. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. His medal is privately held.
This painting by Gilbert Holiday shows Lieutenant James with two rifles and a sack of "Jam Pot" bombs holding the trench single-handed. This painting was presented to the Regiment by the late Lieutenant J. M. P. Baird.
Herbert James V.C. medal group