CORNFIELD, James

James Cornfield was the son of Hugh and Sarah Cornfield of 3 Court, 4 Charlotte Street, Dudley. He was probably working in the Ledbury area because he volunteered for the King's Shropshire Light Infantry soon after the outbreak of the war. He joined the 1st Battalion in the 6th Division which had gone to the Western Front in September 1914 and suffered severe losses in the First Battle of Ypres. They moved to Armenti?res for the first few months of 1915 and returned to the front line at Ypres on the 3rd August. A major attack at Hooge was undertaken on the 8th with the purpose of improving their position on the Menin Road. The action was successful but among the casualties on the day was Private James Cornfield. He was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Menin Gate and Dudley Memorials.