"I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me"
James embarked on the ship A14 Euripides in Sydney on the 29th October 1917. He disembarked at Devonport, England on Boxing Day 1917. Unfortunately on his arrival he was found to be suffering Mumps and was put into hospital isolation till 11th January1918. He trained at Codford till 20th May 1918 and then from the 4th AIBD he was transferred to France as part of the 49th Battalion.
The 22nd May 1918 saw James in Le Harve in France and now part of the 49th Battalion. He served his country as a private till being appointed Lance Corporal on 19th October 1918. In November he was hospitalised with the influenza. On regaining health he rejoined his unit. After the Armistice he continued to be part of the 49th till he was transferred to the 4th Motor Transport Company as a private and driver on the 28th January 1919.
Between May and October1919 he served as a member of various units including the AIF Graves Registration unit and 3rd Division Monument Party in France. On the 2nd October 1919 James left France and travelled to the UK for demob and furlough leave.
James left the UK on 22nd January and returned to Australia on the Friedrichsruh on the 13th March 1920 having spent 2 weeks hospitalised on the ship. After taking leave James was officially discharged from the AIF on the 20th April 1920.
After his returned to Brisbane, James began work as a mail sorter at the Brisbane GPO but tragically was killed by a train on the 19 May 1920, in the tunnel between Central and Brunswick Street Stations. James was awarded the 1914-1918 British War Medal and the 1914 -1918 Victory Medal
Courtesy of Michael Talty
The 22nd May 1918 saw James in Le Harve in France and now part of the 49th Battalion. He served his country as a private till being appointed Lance Corporal on 19th October 1918. In November he was hospitalised with the influenza. On regaining health he rejoined his unit. After the Armistice he continued to be part of the 49th till he was transferred to the 4th Motor Transport Company as a private and driver on the 28th January 1919.
Between May and October1919 he served as a member of various units including the AIF Graves Registration unit and 3rd Division Monument Party in France. On the 2nd October 1919 James left France and travelled to the UK for demob and furlough leave.
James left the UK on 22nd January and returned to Australia on the Friedrichsruh on the 13th March 1920 having spent 2 weeks hospitalised on the ship. After taking leave James was officially discharged from the AIF on the 20th April 1920.
After his returned to Brisbane, James began work as a mail sorter at the Brisbane GPO but tragically was killed by a train on the 19 May 1920, in the tunnel between Central and Brunswick Street Stations. James was awarded the 1914-1918 British War Medal and the 1914 -1918 Victory Medal
Courtesy of Michael Talty