ROUND, James P

James Round lived at 'Beechcroft', Prescot, Stourbridge, and was educated at Stourbridge Grammar School from 1912 to 1914. He was the only son of James and Sarah Round of Albert Street, Lye. The family were one of the foremost hollowware manufacturers of the district with a factory workshop in Orchard Lane. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps, but was transferred to the 13th (Service) Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in the 37th Division. After the gruelling experiences of the 1918 German Spring offensives this Division helped to lead the Advance to Victory. The main attack opened on the 21st August at Bucquoy on the old Somme battlefield. The troops advanced against steady German resistance, spending no more than two days at a time in the front line before relief. Bapaume was regained by the 30th August and the Hindenburg Line was soon in their sights. On the 12th September a successful attack was made on the Trescault Spur which had resisted capture by other units. Losses were taken and among the killed in action was Private James Round. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois, Stourbridge and King Edward VI College Memorials. His name is also inscribed on his parents' grave in Lye and Wollescote Cemetery.