Story:
James Gatehouse Brickell was born in 1882 in Shaftesbury. His name was registered as 'James' but he was baptised at Motcombe Church, on 31st December, 1882, with the additional christian name of Gatehouse. He used both names throughout his life. He was the son of Elijah Brickell, a Plasterer, and Anne Elizabeth Brickell (née Gatehouse). By 1901 James had moved to Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire to live with his sister. On the 24th July, 1904, he married Bessie Harriett Bailey in Rickmansworth. By the time of the 1911 Census they had a daughter, were living in Rickmansworth and he was working as a Plasterer. His parents were living in Kings Lane, Motcombe. Later in that year Bessie died and in 1915 he married Annie Margaret Sears. They lived at 239 New Road, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth.

James enlisted in Bedford on 1st December, 1915, but was not mobilized until 5th June, 1916, as a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment (Service No. 25611). On the 29th October, 1916, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (Service No. 26503). At the time of his death 20th May 1917 he was serving in Greece with the 9th (S) Battalion, 'C' Company of the Regiment. He was was buried initially at a small cemetery called Pearse Ravine Cemetery near the Serbian border but in 1919 the 74 bodies from that site were transferred to Karasouli Military Cemetery, Polykastro, Greece (grave id. E.1182) along with bodies from other battlefield sites.

At the time of his death his wife, Annie, was still living at 239 New Road, and was granted a widow's pension the equivalent to 93p for herself and James' daughter. James was awarded the Victory and British War medals and is remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset.