James William Rooksby

Biography

The father, Edward, was a cabinet maker and the family were continually on the move travelling for his work. Every one of his five children was born in a different town. James William was born in Manchester on the 29th June 1888 and was baptised at an unknown nearby church.

By the Spring of 1891 the family had moved to Kendal. At this time Dad was 43, Mum, Sarah Ellen (nee Jones) 34 and their five children Alice Elizabeth, 10, Albert Edward, 6, Richard Henry, 4, James William, 2 and Lottie or Pollie just 8 months. The family lived at House 6, Yard 94, Highgate. Edward was a Foreman Cabinet Maker for Mason and Wilson. In the same year 1891 Edward died during an operation at Islington Hospital. When Sarah was left a widow she took in lodgers and received parish relief of 7 shillings a week before her second marriage. It appears that a year later Sarah remarried to William Borwick a next-door neighbour. In 1893 Sarah gave birth to a daughter Elsie who was a half-sister to both the original families. Also in 1893 Alice Elizabeth died in Kendal. Sarah Ellen herself died in childbirth in April 1897 at the age of 40.

William Borwick of 30 Union Street Kendal, the stepfather of James, was not able to provide for him so he committed James to the Waifs and Strays Society and its rules and agreed, if desirable, for him to go to Canada.

Although having lost his parents there were other relations on his mother’s side, Grandfather William Jones, Uncle William Jones and four aunts two of whom were Alice and Fanny. Most of these lived at 10 Park Place, Cross Lane, Salford. They had limited means and were unable to support their grandchild/nephew. Therefore on September 3rd 1897 the Grandfather of James William not being able to provide for his grandchild also gave his care to the Society accepting their rules and agreed to sending him to Canada.

Mr. Wakefield of the Society wrote of James William Rooksby that, “he is a nice little boy with every prospect of turning out well but since his mother died he had had no one to look after him except a step sister, aged 16, whose hands were quite full with the house and the babies and other children of whom there are eight altogether. The step father is a steady industrious labourer earning small wages who may be relied on to do his best for these orphans whom he is undertaking but he cannot properly feed or clothe so many. Many men in his position would not have hesitated to throw all the orphans on the Guardians and considered his remaining five enough but he has a natural repugnance to the workhouse.”

James was admitted to Natland Waifs and Strays on the 11th September 1897 at the age of nine years and two months. At this time he was in standard three at Kendal Green School and also went to the Unitarian Church Sunday School. The Kendal Guardians agreed to pay two shillings and sixpence per week to the Home. It is recorded that James was in good health but it was not thought that he had been vaccinated. James was considered for emigration in 1901 but a report on the 6th September said on medical grounds he was not physically fit for emigration. Dr. Philip Manning of 83 Highgate identified Cardiac disease and the mitral valve, a skin disorder and not having perfect vision. The Society thought it was useless to proceed as the application would not get past the Canadian Authorities. An earlier letter in July from Reverend W. Keeley seems to suggest that all James’ maladies should not be mentioned.

On the 18th July 1902 James was engaged to work as Under Butler for Mrs. Wilson at Rigmaden Park, Kirkby Lonsdale. On January 31st 1906 James was again considered for emigration to Canada at age seventeen and a half and after three and a half years of domestic service. His emigration was recommended as he had proved himself to be thrifty and self-respecting who would make the best use of colonial opportunities.

On 6th February 1906 Dr. Philip Manning of 83 Highgate gave a certificate of health for emigration which appeared much the contrary of his earlier report. He said that James had been vaccinated, had no cardiac disease, had perfect hearing, had sound limbs and the body strength for farm work, had sound intellect and was generally sound and healthy. However, he had myopia, he was short sighted. The medical view was that he was suitable for Canada. The emigration committee agreed on the 2nd February 1906 to James William going to Canada on the assumption that he would be able to contribute to the expense.

Following his five years with the Society Ismay Barnes wrote an educational report on February 9th which indicated that James could read well, write well and figure well. He was industrious, thrifty and thoroughly honest. He had been a kennel and pantry boy at Rigmaden Park for 3 and a half years but left as he was too big for the work and the wages. Domestic Service was given as a special capability. Having passed the emigration committee on the 13th March James emigrated on 26th April 1906 sailing from Liverpool to Montreal on the S.S. Virginian. He went initially to Sherbrooke Home in Quebec and with their support found work in the community.

Service Record

It would appear from his attestation papers that William, as he now called himself, found both a wife Matilda and a job as a milk driver. They lived in Montreal. William James (Christian names reversed) Rooksby joined the Canadian Army on 15th September 1916 as 1057045 Private William James Rooksby. JW states he was born not in Manchester as indeed he was but gave the Canadian authorities Kendal as his birthplace.

He joined the 87th Canadian Infantry Battalion which recruited in Montreal and was known as the Canadian Grenadier Guards. Given that James was five feet nine and three-quarter inches tall he must have been just right for the unit. (This was very much above average height for the time.)

How They Died

At the end of September 1918 in France, the 4th Canadian Division of which the 87th were a part, punched a hole through the enemy defences along the Inchy Moeuvres road to cross and capture the Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood. It is probably in this action and on the 30th September 1918 that 1057045 Private William James Rooksby was killed. His age was given as unknown but he must have been 30.

Where They Rest

He is buried at Triangle Cemetery which is close to the Canal du Nord.