Twins James and Thomas Shingler were born in Burslem, Staffordshire on the 18th December 1918, to parents Reuben James Shingler born Shelton in 1878 and Edith nee Turner born Burslem on the 3rd February 1883. Sadly James's twin Thomas died in infancy. Reuben and Edith were married at Burslem, St John Church in 1903. They would go on to have 12 children together, all born in Burslem, Annie born 15.08.1904, Arthur born 7 Oct 1905, Harry born 5.7.1907, Edith born 27.08.1908, May born 28 May 1910, Nellie born 1913, Reuben born 6.1.1914, Hilda born 1917, James and Thomas born 1918, Edward born 10.7.1922 and Thomas born 17.12.1925.

In 1911 they lived at 16 Slater Street, Burslem. The census record shows Reuben (33) a Potter Presser and Edith (28) being married for 8 years and having had six children together one of which had died. The children living with them were Frederick Turner (1900) Edith's son prior to marriage and Annie Shingler (6),  Arthur Shingler (5), Harry Shingler (3), Edith Shingler (2) and baby May Shingler also living with them was Edith's brother James Turner (33) General Labourer. 

The 1921 Census shows James living with his family at 12 Daniel Street, Burslem. Reuben senior is aged 43 and out of work described as invalided. Edith senior is aged 39 and on home duties. Annie aged 16 is a Cup Handler, Edith aged 12 at school, May aged 11 at school, Hilda aged 4, Harry aged 13 a Potters Assistant, Arthur aged 15 is a China Caster, Reuben is 7 and James 2. Frederick Turner is to be found aged 20 as a private in the 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. 

The Sentinel Newspaper December 12th 1938 shared the family memorial of Hilda Shingler who died in 1928 aged 11 and Reuben James Shingler died in 1935 aged 57.

SHINGLER Treasured memories of Reuben James, beloved husband of Edith Shingler. who died Dec 11th, 1935: also Hilda, daughter of the above, who died Jan. 3rd. 1928. Ever remembered by his loving Wife and family. 12. Daniel-Street., Burslem.

The 1939 Register shows us that some of the Shingler family are at the same address of 12 Daniel Street, Burslem but that some members are no longer present. James' mother Edith (56) is now described as a Retired Pottery Worker, Harry (32) Potter's Sagger Maker Heavy Worker,  Reuben (25) a Wharf Labourer Heavy Worker, James (21) a Potters Caster, Edward (17) General Labourer Brickworks, and Thomas (14) a Shop Assistant.

James' sister May Shingler married Harold Hopwood in 1933 and in the 1939 Register she can be found living at 21 Spencer Street Stoke on Trent; two records have been redacted, assumed to be her two children. Her husband Harold had joined the Royal Engineers in December of 1938 as private 2067151, he served for the duration of the war. 

Edith Shingler married Arthur J Simpson in 1933 and in the 1939 register they can be found living at 151 Newport Lane, Stoke on Trent, Arthur a Crate Maker and Edith a Potters Lithographer, also living with them their son Arthur Simpson born 13.05.1937. 

Annie Shingler married John Banbury (14.12.03) in 1927, in the 1939 register they lived at 66 Hassall Road, Alsager, Cheshire, John was an ARP Warden and worked as a Factory Joiner, Annie worked as a Cup Handler, living with them was their son William Banbury born 19.08.1928.

Arthur Shingler married Elsie Bryan in 1933 and in the 1939 register they can be found living at 60 Orford Street, Porthill, Arthur working as a China Figure Maker. Elsie, Unpaid Domestic Duties there is one redacted file assuming this to be their child. 

The Sentinel Newspaper reported on the 2nd November 1949 of the visit of Princess Elizabeth to the Royal Doulton Burslem Staffordshire factory, of note is her meeting with Arthur Shingler, James' older brother. 

Her Royal Highness also displayed interest in the work of another figure caster, Mr. Arthur Shingler, of 60, Orford-Street, Porthill, who has 28 years' service.

James joined the Army on the 16th October 1939 after first passing his medical examination at Hanley on the 22nd September 1939, he was classed A1. His description on enlistment was 20 years old, 5’ 4.5” tall, hazel eyes, dark brown hair, 128lbs, 36.5” chest with 3” expansion. He was allocated service number 5051062 and he served as a Private for his whole service which lasted 2 years and 286 days. 

He was trained initially at the North Staffordshire Regiment Infantry Training Centre before being sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force on the 13th March 1940 with the 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. His battalion was involved in the retreat to Dunkirk where they were rescued on the 1st of June 1940 during the very famous Operation Dynamo. 

The battalion was then involved in home defence until the 20th May 1942 when some elements were sent to North Africa. He arrived there on the 21st May 1942. His role was that of Mortar Gunner, he fought during the first battle of El Alemein when he was wounded on the 21st July 1942 and died on the 28th July 1942 in the 8th General Hospital, Alexandria. 

A Staffordshire Sentinel newspaper article of the 8th August 1942; Private James Shingler, North Staffordshire Regiment, the 23-year-old son of Mrs. Shingler and the late Mr. R. J. Shingler. 12. Daniel-Street, Burslem, has died in hospital of wounds received in the Middle East. He was called to the Forces shortly after the outbreak of war and was in the evacuation from Dunkirk. Previously he was employed by Messrs. Doulton's, Burslem.

His effects were returned to his mother Edith Shingler at 12 Daniel Street, Burslem on the 19th April 1943. They were a comb, cap badge, wallet, 2 small keys, 1 photo, 1 writing pad + envelope, 3 letters, 3 stamps and 3 pennies. 

For his service he earned the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and War Medal 1939-45.

He is buried in Hadra War Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt plot 3.D.22 inscribed on his headstone YOUR WORK IS DONE, YOUR CROWN IS WON, FOR EVER WITH THE LORD.  He is remembered on the Royal Doulton Kilngate Memorial.

James' younger brother Edward also served in WW2 as Gunner 1092543 Royal Artillery. He enlisted on the 22nd October 1940. He had an address of 43 Mountford Street, Burslem and was discharged on the 29th November 1945. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France Germany Star and War Medal.

SOURCES.

• Staffordshire BMD 3/11/17, BUR/02B/045, BUR/25B/059, BUR/182/19
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12628, ED 14, Sch 116; Book: 12628
• The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5283A
• Reuben Shingler death Evening Sentinel; Publication Date: 12 Dec 1935; Publication Place: Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, England; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/972755777/?article=3eac7a38-53df-4789-95a1-f86c6401d220&focus=0.4075174,0.5311588,0.5468662,0.55537564&xid=3355 
• Staffordshire Sentinel  08.08.1942,https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19420808/002/0001 
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Author: Peter Singlehurst; Series Title: British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918; Archive Name: London, United Kingdom
• https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/record/749439981/shingler-j-uk-wwii-daily-reports-missing-dead-wounded-and-pows-1939-1947
• https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/record/745004328/shingler-james-uk-army-roll-of-honour-1939-1945
• https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/record/746795744/shingler-james-uk-wwi-wwii-commonwealth-war-graves-commission-death-registers
• FOLD3 WW2 MEDAL CARDS
• FOLD3 ROYAL ARTILLERY TRACER CARDS
• COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
• THE WAR GRAVES PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT
• 1938 family memorial https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19381212/086/0003 
• NATIONAL ARCHIVES WW2 SERVICE RECORDS ADH-TNA00006947