Description:Herbert James was born in Ladywood on 13th November 1888. His civilian occupation was as a school teacher at Smethwick Central School, then Bearwood Road School, and finally Brasshouse Lane School. James was a very brave soldier; he won his VC fro holding off a Turkish attack at Gallipoli single handed with the aid of grenades. Later in the war he won the Military Cross too and was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions.His family home around this time and for some years subsequent to the war was at 141 Poplar Avenue in Ladywood. In the picture here James is standing outside that house during a photo call for the press.