GRIFFIN, James Edward

James Edward Griffin was the son of Mrs Mary Ann Griffin of 6 Dudley Road, Halesowen, and attended Halesowen C of E school. He volunteered for the Worcester Territorials and served in the 1/7th Battalion. They landed in France in March 1915 and saw front line action in Artois near Ploegsteert. In 1916 they were deeply involved in the second phase of the Battle of the Somme. German resistance in the centre of the battle zone focused on the village of Ovillers and on the 16th July the Worcesters advanced on the ruins of the village and fought to capture the key position. In the course of the action Private James Edward Griffin was killed in action. He was 25 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval, Halesowen and Halesowen C of E school Memorials.