Second Lieutenant James Antony Symons was born in 1895, in Mayfield, Sussex, the sixth of the nine children of William Christian Symons (1845-1911) and Constance Cecilia Symons née Davenport (1863-1948). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in the Uckfield, Sussex, registration district and his father was also an artist.
In the 1901 census he is shown as living at 'The Hornbeam', Salehurst, Robertsbridge, Kent, with his mother and his eight siblings: Mark Lancelot Symons (1886-1935), Philip Thomas Davenport (1887-1975), William Christian Symons (1888-1963), Cecilia Mary Symons (1890-1946), Stephen White Symons (1891-1972), John Martin Symons (1897-1945), Robert David White (1898-1973) and Elizabeth Anne Symons (1899-1989).
The 1911 census shows him living at Stocks House, Udimore, Rye, Sussex, with his parents, four siblings: Cecilia, John, Robert and Elizabeth, together with a female domestic general servant. On 24 July 1913 he enrolled as a Royal Academy Schools student.
He enlisted as a Private in the 8th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, service number 2284, and on 3 October 1915 he is shown in the London Gazette confirming his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Hampshire Regiment. He was attached to their 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion (Territorial Force) and entered France on 9 June 1916. He was killed in action, aged 21 years, on 18 July 1916 and was buried in Plot 2, Row F, Grave 2 of the Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Chemin d'Englebelmer, Bouzincourt, France.
Administration of his estate was granted to his widowed mother on 20 February 1917 and his effects totalled £23-18s-7d. She was sent his army effects totalling £44-12s-2d on 8 May 1917 and his £5-0s-0d war gratuity on 7 October 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and these were sent to his mother on 30 March 1922 at 129 Beaufort Street, Chelsea.
He is also commemorated on a plaque inside St Anthony of Padua Church, Watchbell Street, Rye, TN31 7HB and on a brass wall plaque inside St Mary's Church, Udimore, Rye, TN31 6BB.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
