Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
| 2. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 275-277 | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Early Life :
See also: VC Online.See also: Berwick City.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Citations & Commemorations :
As a Second Lieutenant, Huffam with three men rushed an enemy machine-gun post and put it out of action. The citation in the London Gazette of 26th December, 1918 reads:"His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, N.C.O.’s and Men:-
2nd Lt. James Palmer Huffam, 5th Bn., W. Rid. R. [T.F.], attd. 2nd Bn.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 31st Aug., 1918. With three men he rushed an enemy machine-gun post and put it out of action. His post was then heavily attacked and he withdrew fighting, carrying back a wounded comrade. Again on the night of 31st Aug., 1918, at St. Servin’s Farm, accompanied by two men only, he rushed an enemy machine gun, capturing eight prisoners and enabling the advance to continue. Throughout the whole fighting from Aug. 29th to Sept. 1st, 1918, he showed the utmost gallantry."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | St David's No. 393 E.C. | Northumberland |
| Joined : | Rokell No. 2798 E.C. | Sierra Leone & the Gambia |
| Joined : | Maguncor No. 3806 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
17th February 1920 | 16th March 1920 | 20th July 1920 |
James was initiated into St. David’s Lodge No. 393, Berwick-on-Tweed and further joined Rokell Lodge No. 2798, Freetown Sierra Leone; Maguncor Lodge No. 3806, London. He was also associated with the Knights Templar, having been a member of Crystal Palace Preceptory No. 257 and was a Rose Croix mason, a member of Chapter No. 140.
Maguncor Lodge make reference to the memories of Major James Palmer Huffham, VC and Captain William Allison White, VC to this day, in that part of masonic ceremony where a new Master is presented with his apron. The apron, first worn by Brigadier-General Noble Fleming Jenkins, CMG, DSO is carried Captain White's service sword and is a piece of ritual unique to this Lodge.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley