M2/105174 Private James Pointing, MT Army Service Corps

The James Pointing noted by Chailey Parish Magazine in September 1915 as serving his King and Country was one of four brothers who served during the First World War. 

He was born at Lewes around May 1894 and by the time the 1901 census was taken, was living at Tomsetts, Chailey with his family.  That family comprised James Pointing (senior) aged 44 and working as a postman, his 40 year old wife Alice (working as a laundress from home) and their four children: William Pointing (aged 13), Alice Pointing (aged nine), James Pointing (aged six) and George Pointing (aged four).  A fourth son, 14 year old Frank Pointing, was boarding at Teague Green, Chailey. 

In October 1915, the parish magazine notes that Trooper J Pointing is (like his brother George), serving with the 2nd Sussex Yeomanry in England.  By January 1917 however, he is reported to be a private with the 10th Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment and in December 1917, a private with a motorised section of the Army Service Corps.  This latter information is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

James Pointing married Florence Matilda Bennett (1903-1970) about August 1927.  He died on 17th October 1962 in Acton, west London. 

James Pointing’s three brothers Frank, George and William all served during the First World War.  His sister, Alice Pointing, is the same Alice Pointing noted as serving with Sussex 54 VAD.