James' brothers Frederick and Albert, both served in the war (see 'Family history'). His nephew, James Francis Bassett (son of Frederick William Ernest), served in the RAFVR in the Second World War (745308 Sergeant) and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal with 10 Squadron, RAF Leeming. He received a commission on 13 November 1942 (135461 Pilot Officer) and promoted Flying Officer 13 July 1943. James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service with 158 Squadron, gazetted 29 October 1942. He retrained as a pilot and served until 1952.
CWGC Additional information: ' Son of Fred and Ann Bassett, of 28, Beeston Rd., Dunkirk, Nottingham.'
CWGC headstone personal inscription: ' He fought the fight the victory won and entered into rest' (The words may be from a hymn)
WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Card: named his parents Frederick William and Ann Margaret, residence Dunkirk.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Frederick was his legatee.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 24 March 1931: ‘Bassett. Ernest Bassett, the beloved son of Fred and Annie Bassett, Beeston-road, Dunkirk, passed peacefully away March 22nd, grandson of the late Mr and Mrs Jones, Pantilau Farm, Dolgelly, NW. Funeral Beeston Cemetery, 12.30pm Thursday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 22 June 1940: ‘Bassett. On June 19th, suddenly at Birmingham General Hospital, Albert Bassett, age 43, the only surviving son of F and A Bassett, 28 Beeston-road, Dunkirk, and grandson of Mr and Mrs Jones, Pant y Lian farm, Arthog, North Wales. Funeral Beeston Cemetery, Tuesday 1pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Birmingham Mail, ‘Deaths’, 24 June 1940: Bassett. Albert, on the 19th, at the General Hospital, as the result of an accident on the LMS Railway, the dearly beloved husband of Alice, 11, Underhill Road, Alum Rock. Funeral Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham, Tuesday, 1 pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Birmingham Mail, 24 June 1940: ‘Knocked Down by Shunting Engine. ‘Accidental death’ was the verdict of the City Coroner at to-day’s Birmingham inquest on Albert George Bassett (aged 43), of 11, Underhill Road, Alum Rock, who died in the General Hospital last Wednesday after being knocked down by a shunting engine at Lawley Street Goods yard. Bassett, a railway district inspector, was deputising for the yard master at Lawley Street, his duties obliging him to move about among the lines. Reginald Rock, of Bamford Road, Alum Rock, who saw the accident from another engine, said Bassett walked along for some distance without realising an engine was coming behind him until witness shouted.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) A report of the inquest was also published in the Birmingham Daily Post, 25 June 1940.
Birmingham Mail and Nottingham Evening Post, 27 June 1940 : ‘The wife, children and parents of the late Albert George Bassett wishes to thank all neighbours and friends, employees of all grades on the LMS Railway for the deep expression of sympathy and floral tributes in their great loss.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 15 March 1943: Bassett. March 11th Ann M. beloved wife of Fred Bassett, departed this life. Loving husband, daughter, grandchildren. Funeral Beeston, 2.30pm, Tuesday, March 16th.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)