CAPTAIN JAMES LESLIE ODDY, 1/ 6th BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT.


CAPTAIN JAMES LESLIE ODDY, 1/ 6th BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS, 3RD SEPTEMBER 1916, AGED 22.



James Leslie Oddy came from an extremely wealthy and influential family who had been involved in politics in the Bradford area since the 1840's. His father Sir John James Oddy owned a large woollen and worsted mill in Birkenshaw and had been elected Conservative MP for the Pudsey Division in 1908. Originally from East Bierley they had moved to Ilkley before the war and took up residence at The Old Hall, which is off Wells Road. James attended Roscoe's School,a small prep school in Harrogate and then went as a boarder to Public School at Repton.



As the only son of the family he was expected to learn the wool trade and duly went to work for his fathers firm. In June 1912 he also obtained a commission in the 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment, known as 'The Bradford Territorial’s'. At the outbreak of the war the battalion was mobilised and James now a lieutenant, elected to serve overseas. The battalion arrived in France in April 1915 and throughout the year involved in tough fighting along the Ypres sector. During this time he was badly wounded and was invalided back to England.
Upon his return to the 6th WYR he was promoted to captain as they prepared for the battle of the Somme. 


In early July 1916 James was wounded again but returned to his battalion a few months later, although, it was reported that he was hardly fit for duty. On 2nd September 1916 the 6th the battalion were in front line trenches at Aveluy Wood preparing for an attack on a strongpoint known as the North Bluff. As James briefed a group of NCOs a German shell fell nearby badly wounding him. Realising the seriousness of the wound the medical officer immediately dispatched him to the nearest Casualty Clearing Station. However, the speedy evacuation was to no avail and James Oddy, aged 22, died the following day. 

The commanding officer of the battalion Lt. Col Hudson wrote the following letter to James Oddy's grieving parents "May I be allowed, as his commanding officer, to say that we all had the highest respect and love for him? He was always cheerful and without fear. He was hit by a shell just as he was moving out with his company, preparatory to taking part in a big operation. His loyalty and devotion to duty were truly wonderful and he again and again after being wounded apologised to me for being prevented from taking his part in what he knew lay before us. Our medical officer did all that could be done for him, and we were able to get him quickly into a motor ambulance. I saw him for the last time as he was placed into the motor and spoke to him. always unselfish, he did not think of himself, but shook my hand and wished us luck. Out here we quickly learn a man’s worth, and we knew then that we had lost one whom we could ill spare."

Another senior officer wrote this of James. "The loss of Captain Oddy was serious. He was one of the very finest types of British officer, courteous, cheerful and fearless.........He may be singled out as typical of a great number of officers and men who sacrificed themselves continually, without the faintest hope of reward, in clear response to an idealism which too many men affect to despise.


Today Captain James Oddy lies in the British Military Cemetery at Warlon Baillon and is remembered on the war memorials at St Margaret’s Church and on the town memorial on The Grove.


Officers of 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment 1914



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