On a slow boat to India

James Othen married Annie Cobbold (my great grand aunt in law) in 1905 in Epsom, Surrey. They had four children Rosey (Born 1905), Mabel (1907), Alfred (born 1909) and Florence (born 1911) and in 1911 were living at 32 Folkland Hill, Dorking, with James working as a labourer.

James had been born in 1880 in Farnham, Surrey the youngest son of Charles and Elizabeth Othen. James had 4 older brothers and two older sisters. Annie Cobbold was the daughter of Alfred and Sarah Cobbold (nee Alston) and had been born in 1886 in Burnham, Essex. After marrying James the family lived in Great Bookham, Surrey where their first three children were born and then 1910/11 they moved to Dorking where Florence was born.

Annie had two older brothers Frederick (born 1874 in Braintree, Essex) and Alfred (born 1884 in Burnham, Essex). Alfred's brother in law John Joseph Graffham had been killed whilst serving in France with the 2nd Battalion The Royal West Surrey Regiment in July 1915

James had enlisted with the 5^th Reserve Battalion “The Queens” Royal West Surrey on the 5^th October 1914 aged 34 years and 6 months and was 5 feet 5 3/4 inches. He was living at 71 Orchard Rise, Dorking, Surrey and was considered physically fit. James was employed as a bricklayer's labourer at that time. 

He had been stationed in England since enlisting but on the 28^th October 1916 James, was at Devonport, embarking with the 1 / 4^th Battalion Royal West Surreys to India.