SAPPER JAMES MICHAEL McKENNA
6027 – 3rd Tunnelling Company
James Michael McKenna was born at Millchester, Charters Towers, Queensland on May 9, 1887 the son of James and Hanora (nee O’Reilly) McKenna. He was an Engine Driver residing at Stubley Street, Charters Towers when he applied to enlist at the Charters Towers Town Hall on March 1, 1916, passing his medical test two days later.
Acknowledgement to the departing volunteers was published in:
The single, twenty-seven year old was sworn in on April 29, 1916. His Attestation Form documents that he was 161cms (5ft 3¼ins) tall, weighed 54 kgs (119lbs) with a chest measurement of 85cms (33½ins). His complexion was fair, with blue eyes and dark brown hair and bore a scar on one arm. Religion was given as Roman Catholic and his remarried mother Mrs Norah Parker of Stubley Street, Charters Towers was named next of kin.
After arriving at the 11 Depot Battalion at Enoggera, Brisbane, Qld on May 5, received basic training until June 23, 1916. Following his transfer to the Miners 1st Military District he was required to sign a Statutory Declaration to change his occupation to a Miner and in due course received further instruction ending shortly before September 9, 1916.
Joined the Miners Reinforcements camp located at Seymour, Victoria on September 9, 1916 and was assigned the rank of Sapper with the Regimental number 6027 and placed to train with the December 16 Reinforcements as they prepared for overseas service.
The transport HMAT A38 Ulysses departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 26, 1916 with 516 Reinforcements on board. During the voyage it docked at Durban, Cape Town and Sierra Leone. During the latter part of the voyage the following occurred:
Offence 5/12/1916
(1)Breaking ship
(2)Wilfully absenting himself while under orders for active service
From 3pm 5/12/16 to 5pm 6/12/16
Award 21 days detention by order of Lt-Col O.C. Troops.
Total forfeiture 23 days pay. Vide ships orders no 38.
7days remittance to the detention by O.C. was given 23/12/16. Vide ships orders no 52.
Their voyage terminated at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 and the troops were detrained to Tidworth marching in to the Aust. Details Camp at Perham Downs for supplementary training.
On January 26, 1917 they proceeded via Folkstone to France and the Aust. General Base Depot two days later. Although his service card does not record his placement with the 3rd Tunnelling Company this is the period he would have been attached to the company.
At Etaples on March 30, 1917 Sapper McKenna was detailed to II Anzac Headquarters but on April 4 was taken sick to the Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Pneumonia and was conveyed per 26 A.T. to the 13 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne the following day.
A medical assessment took place on April 20, 1917 at Bailleul defining the following:
Disability:Severe attack of bronchitis, with profuse exporation.
Has had nasal discharge for 11 months with frontal sinusitis.
Causes:Stress of Campaign on active service.
Present condition: Looks depressed and debilitated rhonchi all over chest.
By April 21 was sent to 10 Convalescent Depot at Ecault at No 3 camp. On May 3, 1917 his condition had not improved was transferred to England classed “PB” and marched in to No 1 Command Depot at Weymouth.
Another medical examination took place on May 18 which revealed a previous injury. These are the medical officer’s notations and confirmation he was with the 3rd Tunnelling Company.
Sapper McKenna J.M. 6027 3rd Tun Co., aged 36.
Headaches.
Nasal discharge since 1910 following concussion from an explosion in the mine.
Nasal Haemorrhage and has never been well since.
Nasal obstruction
Bronchitis
He has been in the firing line being withdrawn from duty unfit.
He was under treatment for sometime before enlistment.
Permanently unfit for general service, unfit for home service for 1 month.
On July 21, 1917 Sapper McKenna embarked from Plymouth, England for return to Australia aboard the Hospital Ship A14 T.S.S. Euripides and was retransferred from Melbourne, Vic on September 18, 1917. His mother was advised of his return on August 13, 1917.
Admission for treatment of Bronchitis and Frontal Sinusitis at the 6 Aust. General Hospital, Brisbane, Qld took place on September 20, and released on October 23, 1917.
He was discharged on a pension on November 3, 1917.
Sapper James Michael McKenna 6027 3rd Tunnelling Company was awarded the British Medal (24662) and the Victory Medal (23777) for his service abroad.
He was an engine driver residing in South Townsville with his address care of G.R. Parkes in 1925. By 1930 was living at Cardwell with the occupation of engine driver where he remained until 1937.
He was registered at Reid River from 1943 to 1949 at the Railway Reserve working as a pumper and in 1954 lived at 90 Boundary Street, South Townsville with his occupation as railway employee. There is a Catherine Amelia McKenna registered there also.
Catherine McKenna died about June 12, 1967 aged 80 years with burial in the Belgian Gardens cemetery.
James Michael McKenna passed away about January 3, 1968 at the age of 81 years.
No announcements were published and interment was in the Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Townsville.
His Commonwealth War Grave is located in the Anglican portion of Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Townsville in section 11 within plot 5 grave no. 96.
© Donna Baldey 2009/2018