Notes A birth registration was found for James Frederick Grantham: Year of Registration: 1891; Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar; District: Birmingham (1837-1924); County: Warwickshire; Volume: 6d; Page: 30. (Parents: James Grantham and Mary Ann Blake (Stean).)
James' father, James Grantham, a insurance agent, died on December 8, 1895. His mother was a dressmaker, but due to ill health became unable to work. The death of her husband was a great blow to her, and not long after her oldest daughter left home to be married. Her departure was keenly felt as her earnings had helped hold the family together. Two shillings a week and two loaves from the parish was all the family had to depend on. It was impossible to pay rent, and a few weeks prior to application at Barnardos for James, the furniture was seized by the landlord and everything sold. The neighbors, who were very indigent, expressed their sympathy by subscribing sufficient money to buy back a few things, and the poor woman was allowed with her family to occupy a empty house at nominal rent, but it was expected the house would be let by midsummer. The neighbors continued to show their kindness by sending occasional help in the form of food, clothing and sometimes small amounts of money. James' mother was anxious, if something could be done for the children, to enter hospital, due to her ongoing illness, in order to undergo a proper course of treatment; but no relatives were able to help, and she wished if possible to save the children from the workhouse.
On May 26,1896 James, aged 5 years, 4 months, was admitted to Barnardos and entered the Receiving House, Stepney Causway, East London. The other two children, a boy aged 10 and a girl aged 7, were left with the mother.
On May 27, 1896, James went to Sheppard House, East London and stayed there until June 3, 1897, when he went to Leopold House, East London. On August 13, 1897, he was boarded out to a foster home in Lurgashall, West Sussex.
In 1901, James Grantham, 11, arrived at Quebec, Canada, along with a large party of Dr. Barnardo's children, 239 to Toronto, 68 to Winnipeg, 20 to Russell, Manitoba and 3 to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
In 1904, a report was filed with Barnardos regarding James Grantham, age 14:
"Employer unpopular amongst the neighbours and in consequence of report made to us some thought was entertained of the boys removal but he himself stoutly opposes it so he has been left for the present. Does not seen to be ill treated although he has been
occasionally chastised."
James had a stubborn streak all his life, according to his son, and probably thought being moved would show a weakness.
In other reports, James is described as a bright healthy thriving lad, always willing and good tempered. His school teacher gave an excellent report of his conduct.
James remained in the employ of the same man until he was 21 when he withdrew his bank account with the assistance of Barnardos and moved to Saskatchewan.
On December 20, 1914, James Grantham, 22, enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces. He declared that he was born in Small Heath, Birmingham, England; that his next of kin was Mary Ann Grantham, who resided at 27 Haden Street, Moseley Road, Birmingham, England; That his date of birth was December 22, 1892; that he was a railroader; and that he was not married. He was described as 5 foot 7-1/4 inches in height; fair complexion; gray eyes; brown hair. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith. He had a mole on his left leg. James was wounded in France, and discharged in 1919.
On September 4, 1919, at Wilkie, Saskatchewan, Canada, a marriage was registered between James Frederick Grantham and Hazel Irena Letts, born in Ormsby, Hastings, Ontario, Canada, daughter of Howard Letts and Charlotte Swayne.
James and Hazel Grantham had 5 children: Robert B. Grantham; Ronald Grantham, born 1929 in Wilkie, Saskatchewan; James Edwin Grantham, born May 11, 1921 in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada; Hazel Elizabeth Grantham, born April 27, 1926 in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada; and Helen Joyce Grantham, born 1924.
James worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad until 1930.
James Frederick Grantham died April 20, 1985, in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Hazel Irena Letts Grantham died May 11, 1954, in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. They were buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.