Pte James Barnard Watkins, 11021, 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, died on September 3rd, 1918, from wounds sustained in action at Gezaincourt in France. He had returned from home leave only a week earlier, and had crossed over from Dover on August 29th.

A letter of sympathy from a Chaplain informed parents James Barnard and Alice Maud Watkins, of 125a North Street, Luton, that he had would be burying their eldest son on September 4th at a military cemetery. In due course a cross would be erected over his grave.

Pte Watkins had joined up in March 1916 at the age of 18. He first served in France,then for a time in Italy before being transferred back to the Western Front.

James was born in Rotherhithe, London, and had two brothers and a sister. By the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved from London to their home in North Street, Luton.