COLONEL L. JAMES, 4TH BATTALION 11TH SIKH REGIMENT. Five: India General Service Medal 1908

COLONEL L. JAMES, 4TH BATTALION 11TH SIKH REGIMENT. Five: India General Service Medal 1908, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (Lieutenant, 4th Battalion 11th Sikh Regiment) British War Medal (Lieutenant) 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 War Medal, 1939-45 India Service Medal. Generally Good Very Fine and better.

Group accompanied by typed service details. Born Cheltenham, 23/6/1899, Lee James was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 24/4/1918. James arrived in India in October 1918, where he was initially attached to the 47th Sikhs as a Company Officer from 17/10/1918 and served as Acting Depot Adjutant. Promoted Lieutenant, 24/4/1919, in December 1920 he was employed as Intelligence Officer, at the Brigade HQ, 2nd Indian Infantry Brigade. James was appointed Adjutant, 36th (later 4/11th) Sikhs, 25/5/1921, but returned to the 47th Sikhs on 1/2/1922. Promoted Captain, 23/4/1923, James transferred to the 4/12th Frontier Force Rifles on 12/11/1923. From 22/11/1927 he was attached to the 11th Provincial Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Rifles as a Staff Officer. James was attached to the 10/12th Frontier Force Rifles as a Company Commander from 17/3/1929, and as a Company Commander of the 11th Provincial Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Rifles from 1/5/1933. On 20/6/1934 he was posted for service with the Indian State Forces Establishment, Punjab State Forces (Infantry) at Ambala. James was promoted Major, 24/4/1936, and from 20/6/1934 to 19/6/1938 he was Assistant Military Adviser, Punjab State Forces (during the latter period of this appointment he was also Senior Staff Officer at Gilgit). He was appointed Company Officer and Adjutant, 10/12th Frontier Force Rifles, 23/1/1940. He saw service with the Regimental Centre, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, from 3/4/1942 to April 1945. James was promoted Colonel, 12/5/1943 and retired from the Indian Army on 6/4/1947.

James married Georgiana Mary (Bobbie) daughter of the late J.H. and Mrs Atkinson, of Castle Towers, Parkside, Wimbledon, in 1936 (marriage announced in the Time of 2/4/1936). In retirement he was Secretary to the Farmers Club, London, 1949-58. In November 1952 he attended the 4th Sikhs Memorial Tablet unveiling at St Luke’s Church. Colonel James’s papers are in the British Library, reference L/Mill/14/1638