Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Christopher Ackroyd, a domestic coachman, born 1866 in County Durham and his wife Clara Ackroyd (nee Whitbread, married in the 1st quarter of 1894 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1870 in Hackleton, Northamptonshire. Christopher James was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Great Bowden, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 15, Kings Head Place, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. In the 3rd quarter of 1901 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district, Christopher’s mother died aged 31. In April 1911, Christopher was employed as an office boy, and was residing at 6, School Lane, Market Harborough, this being the family home of his maternal Aunt Ellen Faulkner (nee Whitbread, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), a corset trade worker, born 1868 in Hackleton, and her husband George Faulkner, a motor driver, born 1870 in Market Harborough and his Cousins, Annie Elizabeth, a corset trade worker, born 1888 and Constance Clara, a corset trade worker, born 1890, the latter two Cousins were both born in Great Bowden. Christopher appears to have adopted his second Christian, James and appears in most documents by that name. He is recorded in the Soldiers Effects ledger as having died in the 53rd Field Ambulance, France on the 8th November 1918, however he is also recorded in other documents as having been killed in action on the 7th November 1918, his service record is in such poor condition as to be unable to offer indication relating to the date of his death.
Christopher attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 13th November 1914 in Market Harborough. He gave his place of birth as Great Bowden, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 332 days and his trade or calling as clerk. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his Uncle G. Faulkner of 6, School Lane, Market Harborough as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot -?- inches in height, weighed 130 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 34½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had hazel eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 13th November 1914 in Market Harborough. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 15997 on the 13/11/14. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the -?-. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal, unpaid on the 22/7/18. Appointed Lance Corporal, paid vice Bradbury on the 23/10/18. Total service 3 years 361 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Christopher’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 6 Nov-18 - 110th Brigade resume the attack on SAMBRE RIVER. 04.15 Battalion move from LA TOTO NOIRE in support to 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1st WILTSHIRE REGIMENT to cross the RIVER SAMBRE by bridgehead secured by 62nd Brigade at LOCK U.21.c.7.2. 05.50. Two front Battalions across RIVER followed by “A” Company. Held up on EASTERN BANK by enemy machine guns and artillery fire. 11.30. Attack planned to relieve situation. Battalion to cross RIVER SAMBRE by pontoon bridge U.27.a.2.5. Object of attack, high ground in U.22.b. 12.15. “B”, “C” and “D” Companies across RIVER and “A” Company moved along river bank into following dispositions. “B” left front, “A” right front, “D” left support, “C” right support, Battalion Headquarters at U.20.a.9.4. 13.30. Companies reported starting well. 14.00. Companies reported GAMPIN ROAD passed. 14.20. Companies reported LE BOUVIER ROAD passed. 15.15 Companies reported HIGH GROUND U.23. central reached Battalion digging in. Battalion Headquarters established at U.27.b.9.9. 15.20. 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1st WILTSHIRE REGIMENT move up to this line. 17.30 Battalion withdrew into support along road in U.22.b.
The War Diary records: 7 Nov-18 - 05.45. Battalion resume attack on RED LINE (running through centre of square 9.15 and 21). Passing through 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and taking front line Battalion with 1st WILTSHIRE REGIMENT on left. Enemy withdrew. Battalion move up to RED LINE and dig in. Much artillery fire and machine gun fire in new positions. 08.30. 64th Brigade pass through to attack BLUE LINE. 09.00 Battalion Headquarters opened near CHURCH, BACHANT. BACHANT shelled heavily during the day. 20.15. Battalion withdrew to AULNOYE in billets. Casualties other ranks 10 killed in action, 34 wounded in action. Lieutenant V. C. HALES wounded in action.