JAMES MALLEY
The Malley family emigrated from Ireland to England during the 19th Century, though James may have felt little connection to their former home as neither he, nor his father or grandfather, were born or lived there.
The move was initiated by James's great grandfather Michael Malley who was born in County Mayo in 1799 and who seems to have travelled initially to Gosport in the 1840s. The 1851 census records him living there and working as a Licensed Victualler, accompanied by his wife Mary and eldest son James. By 1861 they had been joined by another child, Elizabeth and seven grandchildren whose parents were a second son William and his wife Martha but it's not known where they were on the day of the census.
1871 saw William and Martha living at 43 Buckland Road in Portsmouth with eight children including their eldest James who was then working as a 'Marine Store Dealer Assistant' to his father. The 1881 census recorded a short move for the family to 376 Buckland Road by which time James had become a dealer in his own right. Perhaps this encouraged him to strike out on his own because 1881 also saw his marriage to Martha Bowens who came from Gosport and may have been known to the family whilst they lived there.
James, still working as a Marine Store Dealer, and Martha found their own accommodation at 13 Warblington Street where by 1901 they had eight children of their own - Martha (b. 1883), Mary (b. 1884), James jnr. (b. 1885), Lily (b. 1887), William (b. 1889), Charles (b. 1892), George (b. 1895) and Alfred (b. 1898).
A few years later James jnr. left home to join the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) and in 1911 was listed at the Edward Barracks, Sialkot in India. After the declaration of the Great War the Lancers were posted to France, landing at Marseilles on 7th November 1914. As part of the Cavalry Brigade James Malley took part in a lot of fighting over the next four years finally meeting his end in August 1918.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission list Private James Malley (487), 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own), died 09/08/1918. Buried at the Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, (Grave Ref: Y.M.9A.). Son of James and Martha Malley, of Portsmouth, Hants.
James Malley is remembered on the Anglican Cathedral WW1 Memorial Cross, and on the Cenotaph. He is not listed in the 'National Roll of the Great War', Section X.
Tim Backhouse
November 2014