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Family Stories George
Cale James Former King's Orderly Dies at Chemainus Funeral services for George C. James, King’s Orderly at Buckingham Palace for several years prior to 1913, will be held at the Chemainus Anglican Church Thursday at 2 p.m. A former Victoria resident, Mr. James died in Chemainus Hospital Monday at the age of 81. Born in Tregare, Wales he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards as a Young man and later became King’s orderly at Buckingham Palace, performing guardsmen’s duty out of the palace at Wellington, Chelsea, Windsor Barracks and the Tower of London. As drill sergeant, he was instructor to the men who later directed the land forces of Britain in the First World War. The trainees included Viscount Gort and Prince Alexander of Battenburg, Who became Lord Mountbatten during the war. Mr. James was among 12 Grenadiers chosen as pallbearers for the late King Edward and was a member of the guard of honor for the coronation of King George V. In 1898 he served with his guard battalion at Gibraltar and South Africa through the Boer War. He left Wellington Barracks for Canada in 1913 and was a member of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Winnipeg for 33 years. His banking career was interrupted in 1915 when he enlisted with the 78th Battalion, later transferring to the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Through the First World War, Mr. James served in England as captain and adjutant of the regiment. He was commanding officer in charge of training at Aldershot. Back to Banking
He leaves his wife, Maud, Chemainus; sons George, Claud and Murray in Winnipeg; another son, David, and his daughter Mary Anne, Chemainus; five grandchildren, and three brothers in England. Rev. A. G. Howe will officiate at the funeral services. Interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Gardens. The above
was transcribed by Gerald Majumdar from a newspaper cutting provided
by Graham James. Copyright 2005 Gerald Majumdar |
