Lance Corporal James Charles Weller, 7th Royal Sussex Regt

James Charles Weller appears on the 1891 census of England & Wales as a one year old living at South Street, Chailey with his family.  The family comprised John Weller, a Road Man aged 36, his wife Elizabeth Ann Weller aged 33 and their three children: George Weller (aged five and noted as a scholar), John Weller (aged three) and James.  The boys’ father had been born in Fletching but their mother and all three boys were born in Chailey. 

By the time the 1901 census was taken, the family was still living at South Street with John Weller senior now noted as a labourer on a farm and George and John working as carters’ mates on a farm.  There are also two additional members of the household noted: Ellen Weller (aged eight) and Charles Buckwell aged 20 (working as a carter on a farm).  Charles’ relationship to the head of the household is noted as “boarder” but he was in fact Elizabeth Weller’s son and therefore a half-brother to the four Weller children.  

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1914 that James Weller is serving his King & Country, updating this information in October 1915 to note that he is a private with the 7th Royal Sussex Regiment.  In January 1917 it notes that his rank is lance-corporal and this information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll in July 1919. 

James’ two brothers George Weller and John Weller also served their King and Country during the First World War.  His half brother Charles Buckwell also served and was killed in action on 11th July 1917.