James Colby Waller was born on 4 May 1889. He was baptised on 22 January 1890 at Holy Trinity as James Waller, whereas he was James Colby Waller on the birth register. Father’s occupation Labourer, abode 52 Cathcart Street.

In 1901 he was a Railway Porter aged 11, the family address being 232 Beckwith Street.

In 1911 he was still a Railway Porter and aged 21, living at the family home at 267 Brook Street.

From the Trade Union membership registers for August to October 1911, he joined the Amalgamated Society Of Railway Servants in 1911.

From the same source for November 1913 to March 1914, he joined the National Union Of Railwaymen in 1913.

From the Birkenhead News dated 8 October 1918, he was serving in the Machine Gun Corps and was an employee of Messrs. Alfred Holt.

His medal card (as James C. Waller) and Medal Roll (as James Colvey Waller) record that he served from 29 January to 12 March 1918 in Egypt, then from 1 June to 20 September 1918 in France and Belgium, with the Machine Gun Corps (service number 125958). From 21 September to 11 November 1918 he served with the “34/ Royal Fusiliers” (service number GS/93663). Oddly, the 34th Battalion Royal Fusiliers had been long disbanded by that point in time. Also, what was he doing before 29 January 1918?

He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

In the 1939 register he was a Dock Labourer living in the family home at 267 Brook Street with sisters Amelia and Lily.

He died in Birkenhead in 1968, aged 79. According to livesofthefirstworldwar.org, he is buried at Flaybrick Cemetery in Birkenhead.