McCaw, James
Private
No. 1024229
75th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Killed in action on Monday 2 September 1918 (aged 19)
Buried:
Dury Mill British Cemetery, France (Grave II. A. 4)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM)
Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance
BIOGRAPHY
In the 9 November 1918 edition of the County Down Spectator it was reported that, at their meeting on 29 October 1918 the members of the Town Improvement Committee of Bangor Urban Council passed a sincere resolution of sympathy to the relatives of Rifleman James McCaw who had been killed in action. His address was Castle Street, Bangor.
Private James McCaw (No. 1024229) enlisted on 29 July 1916 in Brampton, Ontario and he cited his brothers John McCaw and Alexander McCaw and his sister Aggie McCaw as his next-of-kin. John’s address was Muirkirk, Ontario. Alexander’s address was Fenwick, Ontario and Alexander served as a Private in the 34th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Aggie’s address was Dane City, Wisconsin, USA. There was reference also to James McCaw’s mother, Annie McCaw whose address was 166 Seacliff Road, Bangor, Co Down.
In his attestation papers he declared that he was 17 years 6 months old and that he was born on 22 January 1899 in Bangor, Ireland. It was noted that he was a farmer and that he was 5 feet 4½ inches tall. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair and he stated that his religious denomination was Methodist.
Private James McCaw (No. 1024229) left Halifax on 18 April 1917 aboard the SS Scandinavian and arrived in Liverpool on 29 April 1917. He was posted overseas on 26 January 1918.
Private James McCaw (No. 1024229) served with the 75th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) and he was killed in action on 2 September 1918.
In 1901 the McCaw family lived in West Street, Bangor – James, Annie and three of their children: Mary (aged 8), Agnes (aged 4) and James (aged 2). It was recorded that James Junior was born in England.
In 1911 the McCaw family was living in Croft Street, Bangor – Annie and three of her children: Mary (aged 18), Agnes (aged 15) and John (aged 8).
James McCaw Senior worked as a labourer and he and Annie Anderson (nee Swindle) were married on 5 February 1892 in St Anne’s Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. Annie had previously been married to Alexander Anderson; Annie and Alexander were married on 30 November 1888 in St Anne’s Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. Alexander died on 18 June 1890.
According to the 1911 census return James and Anne McCaw (formerly Anderson, nee Swindle) had six children. They were:
Mary (born 30 January 1893 in Castle Street, Bangor; baptised in Bangor Parish Church of Ireland Church)
Agnes (Aggie, born around 1896/1897)
James (born 22 January 1899 in England)
Alexander (born 30 August 1901 in West Street, Bangor)
Grace (born 6 August 1896 at 3 Barrett Terrace, Belfast)
John (born 10 June 1904 in Castle Street, Bangor)
James McCaw Junior moved to Malton, Mississauga, Ontario where he worked on a farm before moving to Canada where he enlisted on 29 July 1916.