Pte 36885 James Alfred Cannon Shimmin

• Age: 19
• From: Douglas IOM
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 22nd October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

James Alfred Cannon Shimmin was born on 04th January 1897 in Douglas, Isle of Man, the youngest son of Thomas Shimmin and Margaret Ann (née Gelling).  He was baptised on 24th February 1897 in St. Thomas, Douglas.  He was known as Cannon, or Jimmy. He had older brothers Thomas Gelling, born in 1892, Louis Tibbs, 1894, and James Cyril, 1896, all born in Peel.  All four brothers would serve in the K.L.R. and three would be killed in action in 1916. 

Both his father and grandfather, also called Thomas Shimmin, were seafaring Captains.  A later newspaper report states that James was raised by his aunt from infancy.  

The 1901 census finds James, 4, listed as James Cannan, nephew, living at 20 Farrant Street, Douglas, with his widowed aunt Christian Boddan (née Shimmin), 43, working as a laundress on her own account at home. Her son Robert Shimmin, is 21, and she had younger Boddan children Mary, William, James, Hilda, and Alexina.  

In 1901 his mother with his three brothers (all with birthplace Peel, Isle of Man), is living with her widowed mother, Ann Dawson, 78, at 62 Patrick Street, Peel, Isle of Man. They have a domestic servant.  Thomas is 8, Louis 6, and James (Cyril) is 5.  

His father died in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1910, as reported in the  Mona's Herald, Wednesday, September 14, 1910:

DEATH OF CAPT. SHIMMIN.

A SUDDEN ENDING.

The Buenos Ayres " Standard " of the 12th ultimo contains the following: — "It is with very much regret that we record the death of Captain Thomas Shimmin, master of the Houston liner Homereus, which took place under tragic circumstances. The Homereus is at present lying in No. 3 dock filling up with cargo prior to her departure to the West Indies and New York. On Wednesday evening Captain Shimmin was apparently in the best of health and spirits, and, in fact, entertained in his saloon a number of his old school mates who are at present in Buenos Ayres. When he parted from his guests he was in his usual cheery mood and there was no indication of any ill health. About six o'clock in the morning he was seen on deck, and at that time also he appeared to be in his usual good health. He returned to his cabin and had apparently lain down on the settee, for here, an hour latter, he was discovered to be dead.”

"Death, it is reasonable to presume, was caused by heart, disease. The late captain, who was fifty years of age, hailed from Peel, Isle of Man. He had been in the service of Messrs R. P. Houston and Co. for a period of seven or eight years, and for the past two years he has been in command of the Homereus, previously having been master of the Hyperia. As a ship's master, capable and altogether seamanlike, the late Capt. Shimmin was held in high esteem by his employers, and with the many passengers he has carried between this country and England he was always exceedingly popular, the deceased leaves a widow and three children to mourn his loss, and to these, in far away Isle of Man, we extend our sincere sympathy. " 

“All the British ships in port, and many of the foreign vessels, lowered their flags to half-mast, out of respect for the memory of the late captain. The funeral took place from the S.S. Homereus, in the British section of the Chacarita, where an impressive service was conducted by Canon Karney. Beautiful wreaths were sent to the grave by Mr C. Wentworth Gumming, R. P. Houston and Company, stewards and cooks of the S.S. Homereus, office staff officers and engineers, and chief steward of S.S. Hermione[continued].” 

His father's death was aso reported in the Ramsay Courrier on 23rd August:

“Word has been received of the death at Monte Video of Capt. Thomas Shimmin, formerly of Peel and now of Liverpool.  Mr. Shimmin was at the time of his death master of one of the Houston Line of steamers. Both he and his family were well-known in Peel, and great sympathy will be extended to the widow and three […].” 

James is still with his aunt and two cousins in Farrant Street in 1911.  She is a charwoman working on her own account.  Hilda, 21, is a dressmaker, Ena, 19, is a shop assistant, and James is 14, at school. 

In 1911 his mother and brothers are living at 15 Walton Hall Avenue Walton Liverpool. His mother, Margaret is a widow aged 45, born 1866, has no occupation listed and was a resident of the Isle of Man. Her widowed mother Ann Dawson is also present, she is aged 88, born 1823 in Ireland. James' three brothers are declared, Thomas aged 18, born 1893 and is a Shipping Manifest Clerk, Louis aged 16, born 1895 is a African Merchant’s Clerk and James aged 15, born 1896 is a Grocers Assistant. The three children were all residents of the Isle of Man.  There was a domestic servant named Hannah Graham aged 15, born 1896 living at the address.

James was known as Boddan, but enlisted under his legal name of Shimmin. According to Soldiers Died in the Great War he enlisted in Seaforth, Liverpool and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 36885 when he was killed in action on the 22nd October 1916, aged 19.

20th Battalion War Diary 

GUEUDECOURT.

21.10.16 - Digging new trench. 

22.10.16 - Completed trench by 4 a.m., was labelled SALMON TRENCH and handed over on relief. 

2nd Lt Maddick was relieved in front line by 2nd Lt Worsley and evacuated sick. Heavy artillery very active, continuous barrage was put on our front line and support trenches. Considerable aircraft activity on both sides during the day. In accordance with 89th Inf. Bde. O.O. No. 62 the Battn. was relieved by the 29th Australian Infantry at 10 30 p.m. the Battalion moving to bivouacs near MAMETZ WOOD arriving about 4 30 a.m. and on 23rd. 

He was killed by a shell that also killed his friends Pte 38487 Edward Crebbin and Pte 36883 William Joseph Cowin.

His death was reported in the Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, November 04, 1916:

PRIVATE J. A. CANNON SHIMMIN

(BODDAN) REPORTED KILLED.

Though not official, the death of Private Cannon Shimmin (19), better known as Boddan, is reported. From letters received from his chums in France, it would appear that four of the Manx boys were killed by the same shell, viz., Privates Karran, Shimmin, Cowin, and Crebbin, and who were buried, under heavy shell fire, by their comrades. Private "Boddan" reported himself for service on attaining his nineteenth year, and was attached to the King's Liverpool Regiment. After a short but effective training he was drafted to the Western front. He was a nephew of, and had been adopted from infancy by Mrs Christian Boddan, 20 Fariant-street, Douglas. He was a member of the Salisbury-street Wesleyan Choir, Sunday-school, and Wesley Guild. Previous to enlisting he served some years with Mr Philip Shimmin, Strand-street, and was latterly with Mr Kelly (grocer), Broadway.

Mr J. H. Clarke, at the conclusion of the ordinary service on Sunday night (7-30), will conduct a short memorial service at Salisbury-street Wesleyan Church.

His death was also reported in the Mona's Herald, on Wednesday 08th November 1916:

BODDAN. - Killed in action, James Alfred Cannon, King's Liverpool Regt., dearly beloved nephew and adopted son of Christian Boddan, of 20, Farrant-st., Douglas, aged 19 years.— “My God! My King! My Country!” 

Again his death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 29 November 1916. 

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) - Campbell, 25722, A.; Cowin, 36883, W. J. (Isle of Man); Crebbin, 38487, F.; (Isle of Man); Dutton, 22677, A. (Runcorn); Jones, 17197, Coy. Sergt.-Major T. L.; Leyland, 16381, Lce.-Cpl W.; Molyneux, 22782, Sgt. E.; Moulton, 22181, Coy. Sergt.-Major R. W.; Nickson, 23127, C. H. (Runcorn); Richardson, 22820, S.; Roberts, 22821, E. (Seacombe); Shimmin, 36885, J. A. C. (Isle of Man); Skelland, 18184, T,; Webber, 23856, S. J. (Bootle); Williams, 37905, W.; Woods, 32259, J.; 

His death was also announced in the Mona’s Herald on the 08th November 1916:   

“Though not official, the death of Private Cannon Shimmin (19), better known as Boddan, is reported.  From letters received from his chums in France, it would appear that four of the Manx boys were killed by the same shell, viz., Privates Karran, Shimmin, Cowan, and Crebbin, and were buried, under heavy shell fire, by their comrades.  Private Boddan reported himself for service on attaining his 19th year, and was attached to the King’s Liverpool Regiment.  After a short but effective training he was drafted to the Western Front. He was a nephew of, and had been adopted from infancy by Mrs. Christian Boddan, 20, Farrant Street, Douglas. He was a member of the Salisbury Street Wesleyan Choir, Sunday School, and Wesleyan Guild.  Previous to enlisting he served some years with Mr. Philip Shimmin, Strand Street, and was latterly with Mr. Kelly, grocer, Broadway.

“The following letter has also been received -

25th Oct. 1916

Dear Mrs. Boddan,

It is with very much regret that I write and tell you that poor Jim has been killed. It happened last Sunday.  The Germans were shelling us, and a shell came over which exploded very close to Jim and three others.  The four of them ran to get better shelter, and, instead of separating, they all ran in a heap. Another shell came over, and exploded just behind them, and they were all killed instantly.  Three of the four were Manx chaps - Jim, Cowin of Richmond Grove, Douglas, and Crebbin of Port St. Mary.  Nothing could be done for any of them, as they were all killed at once, so we buried them altogether as best we could. Jim’s papers will be sent on to you. I offer you my sincerest sympathy in your sad loss. Jim was my best pal, and I shall miss him more than I can tell you. 

Yours very sincerely,

Frank Coleburn (36881)

No. 15 Platoon, No.4 Co.,

20th Batt., K.L.R.

B.E.F.” 

His aunt placed a notice on the same day:  

“Boddan - Killed in action, James Alfred Cannon, King’s Liverpool Regt., dearly beloved nephew and adopted son of Christian Boddan, of 20, Farrant Street, Douglas, aged 19 years. - My God!  My King!  My Country!” 

The letter sent to his mother advising that James was buried means that it is entirely probable that his grave was lost or was subsequently destroyed as he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His aunt, Mrs. Christian Boddan, 20 Farrant Street, Douglas, received James’ Army effects of £2 12s 4d(pay) and was awarded a pension of 6/- a week from June 1917.  The War Gratuity of £3 went to his cousins/sisters Hilda (now Chapman) and Alexina Boddan.  

His three brothers served in the 10th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. 

Thomas Gelling  Shimmin enlisted on 24th August 1914, served as Corporal 3441 with the 1st/10th K.L.R., (Liverpool Scottish) Machine Gun Section, shipped to France on 1/11/1914, and was killed in action on 12th February 1916, aged 23.  He now rests in Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery, south of Arras, where his epitaph reads:

“HE LOVED HONOUR MORE THAN HE FEARED DEATH”. 

Louis Tibbs Shimmin, also serving with the 1st/10th Bn K.L.R. was declared Missing, and later declared Killed in Action on 16th August 1916, six months after Thomas.  He has no known grave and is also commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, where James’ and Louis’ names are listed together. Louis was 22 years old. 

James Cyril attested on 10/11/1915 when he was 18, and was mobilised on 1/6/1916 (age 19) in the Liverpool Scottish.  He served on the Western Front and was returned to the U.K. for Home Service on compassionate grounds on 30/10/918.  He was demobbed in October 1919. 

His mother Margaret, at 15 Walton Hall Avenue, received a pension of 15/- a week for Louis and Thomas from April 1917. 

Thomas’ service record survives and shows that in 1919 when his mother provided information on his living relatives, she was living alone at 15 Walton Hall Avenue, and her surviving son Cyril James, 23, Pte. 358295 (Liverpool Scottish), was at Fire Station, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot.  

His adopted mother Christian Boddan died on the, 29th October 1918, in her 61st year. His birth mother Margaret died at the age of 73 in 1936, still living in Walton Hall Avenue. 

Her death was reported in the Isle of Man Times, on Saturday November 02nd 1918:

DEATHS.

BODDAN.—At 20, Farrant-street, Douglas (suddenly), Christian Boddan, widow of the late Alexander Boddan, (formerly of Ballabeg. Braddan), in her 61st year—Service in Salisbury-street Wesleyan Chapel at 2 p.m. today (Saturday), prior to interment at Braddan Cemetery. 

She was remembered on the first anniversary of her death in the Isle of Man Times, on Saturday 01st November 1919:

IN MEMORIAM.

BODDAN.- In tender and loving memory of our dear mother, Christian Boddan, who passed away October 29th, 1918— (Fondly remembered by her sons and daughters.)

On the 1921 Census at Walton Hall Avenue, mother Margaret Ann is aged 58, and son James Cyril, aged 25, is a policeman.

 Arrangements for a Memorial at St Thomas' Church was reported in the Isle of Man Times on Saturday 26th November 1921:

CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS, WAR MEMORIAL

ARRANGEMENTS are being made for the erection of a Tablet Outside the West Front of the Church, on which will be inscribed the Names of those Killed in the War, who went from St. Thomas' Parish, it is desired that the list should be as complete and accurate as possible. In order to ensure this, the list of the names of the men, with their addresses , is given below. I shall be grateful if friends of any parishioners who gave their Lives in the War would write informing us of any inadvertent omission of a name, or of any inaccuracy in spelling. 

Rev. N. J. POOLE, St. Thomas' Vicarage, 14, Newsham-terrace, Douglas.

Shimmin, James Alfred Cannon, 20, Farrant Street; 

James is commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Thomas C. of E. Church, Douglas,

Douglas Roll of Honour

Manx National War Memorial.

All three brothers are commemorated on the Manx National Memorial

Louis is also commemorated in Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 41 Right

Thomas in St. Luke the Evangelist, Walton

Thomas and Louis in St. German’s Cathedral, Peel.

We currently have no further information on James Alfred Cannon Shimmin, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.