A1212

Copper alloy memorial plaque, commemorating the death of James Stuart Blundell in the First World War. Depicts mourning Britannia holding laurel wreath, and lion. This bronze plaque commemorates the death of Private James Blundell of the 28th Canadian Infantry. James was born 24th September 1893 to William and Ann Blundell in Islington. He was the fifth of eight children. At age 17 he was working as a warehouse assistant, but by 1914 he had decided to start a new life in Canada. Sailing on the SS Empress of Britain, he departed from Liverpool on 04/04/14, and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia a week later. Just over a year later, he would find himself back on board a ship sailing for England as part of the C.E.F. (Canadian Expeditionary Force). Having given up his new life as a farmer, James enlisted in the Canadian Infantry on 22 December 1914. His unit, the Saskatchewan Regt embarked for England aboard the SS Northland of Montreal on 29th May 1915. The Saskatchewan regiment was part of the 6th Barricade of the 28th Canadian Infantry. They shipped to France, arriving at Boulogne on 18 September 1915. Fighting on the Western Front, the Canadian Brig. was moved to hold forward positions at Hooge Wood during the Battle of Mount Sorrell, near Ypres, in early June 1916. German infantry attacked at Hooge Hill after shelling for three hours, and at 3pm four mines were blown under Canadian units. It was at this moment that James lost his life. The regimental diary records the action. Also the official record of his death cites this event as the cause. James Stuart Blundell is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. The memorial plaque would have been sent to the family home in Islington as his father was listed as next of kin. The plaque must have been passed to James' brother Ernest, as it was donated to the museum by Gladys Blundell (Ernest's wife). The museum also holds a silver war badge which belonged to Ernest. See A1186.

circa 1918?

copper alloy, paper