James Knox-Hart was born in Leverstock Green, Hertfordshire on Monday, 14th January 1895 the seventh child born to James Knox-Hart and Christina Bertha Lewis. His siblings were: Elizabeth, Amelia, John, Alice Christine, Bertha Harriet and Annie Septemia. All the children were baptised when they reached the age of sixteen, so for James this event took place at Holy Trinity Church in the village on Tuesday, 28th March 1911. James’ sister Bertha died in the U.S.A. in 1921 aged twenty-eight.

James’s father had moved from Scotland at the age of 36 as a result of ill-heath. He had come south in search of a better climate and a change of profession. He was a successful tweed merchant and had a flourishing business in Hawick, but he switched to agriculture when he purchased Leverstock Green Farm in January 1885. He paid the substantial sum of £2,350, equivalent to approximately £211,000 today, for the farm and over the next twenty years he increased this sixty-five acre property with the purchase of Brickfield Green and Tile Kiln farms. The original farmhouse still stands in the very heart of Leverstock Green. Young James was sent to Berkhamsted School and then on to Chelmsford Agricultural College, now Writtle University College. It was evident that his father wished him to join him working the farm, but war intervened.

On August 17th 1914, shortly after the outbreak of war, the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles (QWR)arrived at their war station in Leverstock Green. The Battalion's Headquarters were established in the village school, whilst the companies were billeted at various farms in the neighbourhood. Leverstock Green Farm hosted ‘F’ Company in a barn on the property and as one Private Wilkinson recalled: “The horses slept downstairs and we slept in the loft above.” Before departing for France in October 1914, the QWR made a presentation to the Knox-Hart family to thank them for their hospitality, a ceremony reported in the Hemel Gazette. Meanwhile, James enlisted under the Group (Derby) Scheme when he attested in London in October 1915 and was subsequently called up for service on the 20th January 1916. He joined the London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) as a Rifleman and went to Ipswich with the 2/5th Battalion.

For the next twelve months there and then at Sutton Veny, Warminster, James underwent his basic training until finally, on the 25th January 1917 the Battalion went to France where it disembarked at Le Havre. In March, the Battalion was engaged in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line between the 17th and 28th of the month. This resulted in the capture of some enemy prisoners and very few casualties. James’ first serious action came two months later at the Battle of Bullecourt which he survived, but where the Battalion suffered its first serious casualties. In late May and into June the Battalion was again engaged, this time in the actions of the Hindenburg Line which was followed by some respite until September. On the 20th James fought in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge and almost immediately afterwards in the Battle of Polygon Wood. During both these actions the 2/5th Battalion incurred heavy casualties losing over 250 men. James came through unscathed.

James next fought in the Second Battle of Passchendaele, the culminating attack during the Third Battle of Ypres. It was marked out by the atrocious weather and ground conditions. Three months of constant shelling had blocked the watercourses that normally provided drainage. When rain began falling and continued intermittently in the early part of October, the battlefield was once again transformed into a quagmire of mud, making movement extremely difficult. By the 31st October the Battalion were still on the Front Line and trying to consolidate positions, but was subject to fierce enemy resistance, shelling and machine gun fire. By the time it was relieved that night the fighting had cost: “8 O.R. Killed 10 O.R. Wounded 1 O.R. Wounded and Missing 4 O.R. Missing”

James was one of the unfortunate casualties and he was Killed in Action on Wednesday, 31st October 1917.

Ten days after he was killed a letter, received by his father, was published in the Hemel Gazette.

James was commemorated on the Berkhamsted School Memorial and on the Leverstock Green village War Memorial.

James is Remembered with Honour on Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 150.

He was only 22 years old when he died.

James was entitled to the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.