Humble Beginnings
RSM James Kay born 19 February 1880 in Torhead Croft, Pluscarden Valley near Elgin, Moray, Scotland. An only child of Helen Smith and Alexander Kay and lived with his grandparents John and Mary Smith of Torhead, Pluscarden, Elgin, Scotland.
Boer War
In 1900 at the age of 19 he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders in Glasgow, Scotland. Jimmie spent 12 years with the Seaforths and served 8 years abroad in Egypt, India, Somaliland and fought in South Africa in the Boer War. During this time he received the Queen’s South Africa Medal (Somaliland) and the Africa General Service Medal (Boer War).
Canada
Jimmie moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada about 1909 and one of the first to join the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada when the militia formed in 1910. In 1911 among the Special Coronation Company who visited the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders (Imperial Army) at Aldershot, England and attended the ceremonies in connection with the coronation of His Majesty King George the Fifth on 22 June 1911.
Annie Amelia Clark
On 23 November 1911 James Kay married Annie Amelia Clark of Tranmere, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England. They had a small ceremony at Point Douglas Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On 9 July 1912 blessed with their first child whom they named Annie Patricia Kay.
Great War
In 1914 at the breakout of the Great War, Kay 29166 immediately enlisted (even though his wife pregnant with her second child) and became Company Sergeant-Major of G Company, 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force, 3rd Brigade, First Canadian Division. They proceeded to Valcartier camp on 23 August 1914 and on 30 September 1914 left Quebec for England.
4 November 1914
The 16th Battalion reviewed by the King and Lord Roberts.
Letter Home
Sun Nov 8th 1914
Blantyre St.
Bishopmill
Dear Annie,Just a few lines to let you know that I am always in the land of living & keeping well hoping this will find you all the same at home I got up here friday & going back Tuesday not much time but better than nothing I am having a good time here amongst the girls only they know that I am married too bad isnt it there is more girls than men here all the men are away fighting or in camps the same as us
The people here has got the war scare all right and all the lights in the Towns are in darkness things are pretty bad all over I had 3 hours in London coming here & it was so dark that you could hardly see your hands in front of you never mind knowing anybody.
Well Annie there is no word of us going over there yet some say March but we might get marching orders anytime. We had the King and Queen Kitchener Lord Roberts & a lot more down seeing us Last Wednesday they were fine pleased with the men I was standing close up beside them but they did not speak to me should have done you know.
Well Annie Dear how is things going on longing to get your Hubbie back I suppose having your hands full with Pat and the other one I have got no word yet but expect to get letter when I go back to camp. Aunt Mary sends her love no more at present hoping to hear from you soon
write soon
Your Loving Hubbie
Coy Sgt Maj J Kay
The battalion moved into huts at Larkhill on 8 December 1914, and spent the winter of 1914-1915 at Salisbury Plain until they arrived in France on 15 February 1915.
Second Battle of Ypres
Amid the first gas attacks of the Great War, Jimmy a splendid battle leader, cool, and clear-headed, rendering excellent service. At one time during the Ypres fighting for two days in sole charge of a mixed body of about one hundred and fifty men from many different battalions, Canadian and Imperial. Jimmy handled them with an ability which earned him the DCM.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
On 16 January 1916, Jimmy awarded the DCM, London Gazette Supplement, and Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No 29453, 27 January 1916.
Regimental Sergeant-major James Kay
Of the original company sergeant-majors only Jimmy remained with the unit by August of 1916. Company Sergeant-major Jimmie Kay of Number 4, became Regimental Sergeant-major when RSM Davie Nelson Nelson evacuated to England.
Vimy
At the Red Line
But of more intimate concern to 16th men was another group which had just arrived from the rear. It was headed by Pipe-major Groat and Piper Allan McNab, playing lustily. Then came Colonel Peck, next Regimental Sergeant-major Kay, followed by the Colonel’s servant, and last of all Kay’s batman with a jar of rum under each arm. At first the company men were too occupied with the consolidation work on hand to show their feelings. The scattered cheer was heard, but, as the procession drew nearer and got into the final objective, a volume of cheering broke out on all sides.
The History of the 16th Battalion – LtCol H M Urquhart
Leave
Kay served continuously at the front from February, 1915, until early in 1918, when he was sent back to Canada, on the three months’ leave of absence granted to married men of the 1st Canadian Division.
Jimmy was very tired at the time. He was not at his best, and it was hoped he could be persuaded to stay in Winnipeg.
Deserter
Jimmy returned from furlo in Canada to Seaford Camp on 22 May 1918. On 14 June 1918, a Court of Inquiry finds Kay to have been illegally absent without leave and to have deficiencies in kit amounting to over 7 pounds. Incredibly, RSM James Kay Struck-off-Strength as a Deserter. The entry in his service record later cancelled.
Last Action
In the last major action of the war at Cuvillers, with the Battalion in a critical situation, Jimmy’s conduct again earned high commendation.
Wounded 2 October 1918, and admitted to Basingstoke (No 4 Cdn Gen Hosp) on 10 October 1918, GSW left hand and forearm. Jimmie later discharged on 5 December 1918, and proceeded overseas to the 16th Battalion on 17th December.
Allied Occupation of Germany
By the time Jimmie caught up with the 16th, he found them in Cologne, Germany.
Military Cross
Awarded the MC on 1 January 1919, London Gazette No 31092.
Death of a War Hero
RSM James Kay MC DCM MM died shortly after midnight, 18 February 1919. He had survived being wounded three times during his service but had contacted influenza. He refused to report to the Medical Officer and reeled off on parade in the morning, dazed with fever.
Antheit, Belgium
Finally ordered to report to the hospital where, 12 hours later, he died. Buried the day after his 39th birthday in the village of Antheit, Liege, Belgium, only a few weeks before his company returned home to Canada.
James Kay described as being of pleasant expression, good natured, possessed of a store of common sense. He was, in his average, firm build, the British soldier of the “old” army, as that fighting man is usually pictured. A loyal comrade, a capable non-commissioned officer, fair and humane, but without any show of weakness in his handling of men. He was a soldier of long experience and tried worth who could truly be said died at the post of duty.
The History of the 16th Battalion – LtCol H M Urquhart
It will always be covered with flowers
Annie Kay’s next letter came from the Officer in Command of the 16th Battalion on 20 February 1919 informing her of James death. Condolences sent by the mayor of Anthiet who vowed to take care of the cemetery plot donated by the town for him. “It will always be covered with flowers”.
The family who cared for James just before his death also wrote with details of his death talking about how he refused to stay in bed and insisted on parading.
Military Medal
On 3 July 1919, Jimmy posthumously awarded the MM, London Gazette No 31430.
Annie Kay never remarried and on May 8, 1935 she was given the honour of unveiling a cross, which was brought from the battle field at Arras, honouring the men of the 16th Canadian Scottish who died there.
The cross stands on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Annie Kay died in Winnipeg in 1976 at the age of 84. Buried at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in the Apostles Garden plot.
Special thank you to great-grand-daughter Jane for contributions to Jimmy’s story.
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