More about James White Husband

James has no known grave but is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

James Whyte Husband   CZ/3366   Nelson Bn  R.N.D.

HUSBAND—Killed in action, on the 23rd April, Petty Officer James Whyte Husband, R.N.D., aged 24 years, second son of Mr and Mrs Husband, Park view Terrace, 8 Forfar Road.

Dundee People’s Journal 19th May 1917.

James W Husband was the son of Mr Alexander and Mrs Mary Husband of 8 Forfar Road, Dundee. In January 1915 he left his job as a Warehouseman and volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset in June. During his time at the Crystal Palace and Blandford he seems to have been attached to the training staff as he was advanced to Leading Seaman in June 1915. In May 1916 he reverted to Able Seaman at his own request and completed his military training before being drafted to the Nelson Battalion, once again as a Leading Seaman, joining it in France on the 10th of July. He was hospitalised at the end of the month with Scabies but returned to the Nelson in August. He was hospitalised again at the end of October with Influenza and, after treatment, was sent to Etaples Depot to recuperate. During this time he was attached to the 6th Entrenching Battalion which was manned by troops waiting to be posted back to their units. In December he was drafted to the Hawke Battalion and served with it during the Puisieux, River Trench and Miraumont assaults after which he was advanced to Petty Officer. In April 1917, the RND took part in the Arras offensive. Their objective was the village of Gavrelle and, during the fighting, James Husband was killed in action. His body was not recovered and his name is listed on the Arras Memorial and on the Morgan Academy Memorial.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie