South African War Graves Project -

Son of Mr. James Charles Yorke, J.P., of Langton, Durbach, Pembrokeshire and Kathrine Ellen Langdon who came from New Zealand.; husband of Violet Mary Yorke, of 8, Argyll Mansions, Chelsea, London. James Hamilton Langdon Yorke was the grandson x4 of the 1st Earl of Hardwicke, Philip Yorke and is listed in Burkes Peerage. James was born 1884 in New Zealand. At the time, James Charles Yorke was a Journalist, Farmer and joint owner of a Printing Business in New Zealand. By 1896, James Charles Yorke was living in Wales and was the High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. James came to England and was a boarder at Haileybury School in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire before moving to Oriel College Oxford, where he gained a BA. He joined the Pembroke Yeomanry while still a graduate. In 1910, James married Violet Mary Vincent (whose father was the Chancellor of the diocese of Bangor) of 8 Argyll Mansions, Chelsea, London. In 1911, they were living at 6/7 Atherstone Terrace, London. At the outbreak of war he was employed by the British South Africa Company but resumed his service in the Pembroke Yeomanry, who had been in Egypt since March, 1916. On the 2nd February, 1917 they were merged with the Glamorgan yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 321st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division moved into Palestine at the beginning of 1917, and moved up through the country, fighting at the Three Battles of Gaza, before moving in on Jerusalem. James, now a Captain, was Killed in Action during the Battle of Jerusalem. His son James John Simon Yorke born 1st September 1912, joined the Royal Navy and was awarded DSC & Bar in WW2. He later became the High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918

Age:	33
Date of Birth:	1884-01-01
Rank:	Captain
Unit:	24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Bn.
Regiment:	Welsh Regiment
Date of Death:	1917-12-27
Cause of Death:	Killed in action, Battle of Jerusalem

Grave Reference:	E. 75.
Cemetery:	JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY, Israel

Country:	Israel

Decorations:	M C
Citations:	LG Sup 2 July 1918 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When part of the line was driven back by the enemy he rapidly reorganised the situation with great skill under very heavy shell and machine-gun fire. He showed splendid leadership and initiative."
Son of Mr. James Charles Yorke, J.P., of Langton, Durbach, Pembrokeshire and Kathrine Ellen Langdon who came from New Zealand.; husband of Violet Mary Yorke, of 8, Argyll Mansions, Chelsea, London. James Hamilton Langdon Yorke was the grandson x4 of the 1st Earl of Hardwicke, Philip Yorke and is listed in Burkes Peerage. James was born 1884 in New Zealand. At the time, James Charles Yorke was a Journalist, Farmer and joint owner of a Printing Business in New Zealand. By 1896, James Charles Yorke was living in Wales and was the High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. James came to England and was a boarder at Haileybury School in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire before moving to Oriel College Oxford, where he gained a BA. He joined the Pembroke Yeomanry while still a graduate. In 1910, James married Violet Mary Vincent (whose father was the Chancellor of the diocese of Bangor) of 8 Argyll Mansions, Chelsea, London. In 1911, they were living at 6/7 Atherstone Terrace, London. At the outbreak of war he was employed by the British South Africa Company but resumed his service in the Pembroke Yeomanry, who had been in Egypt since March, 1916. On the 2nd February, 1917 they were merged with the Glamorgan yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 321st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division moved into Palestine at the beginning of 1917, and moved up through the country, fighting at the Three Battles of Gaza, before moving in on Jerusalem. James, now a Captain, was Killed in Action during the Battle of Jerusalem. His son James John Simon Yorke born 1st September 1912, joined the Royal Navy and was awarded DSC & Bar in WW2. He later became the High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918