SAPPER / DRIVER JAMES STRUBIE
3380 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company
Registered as James Strube born in Charters Towers, Queensland on 6th March, 1894, he was the son of Henry and Mary Shearer (nee Jackson) Strubie. Served three years with the Senior Cadets and was apprenticed as a Motor Mechanic. He had been convicted once by a Civil Court for Furious Driving.
When war was declared on August 4, 1914 a proclamation immediately mobilised the Kennedy Regiment and Citizens’ Force who joined volunteers from Cairns, Bowen, Mackay, Ravenswood and Townsville. 1000 men departed on the military requisitioned Kanowna from Townsville wharf on August 8 to do garrison duty on Thursday Island. A few days after arrival a call for 500 volunteers for six months service in the Pacific was posted and James enlisted with the 2nd Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) for service outside Australia on August 14, 1914. His number was 1990.
Two days later the troopship Kanowna departed from Thursday Island to take part in the capture of German New Guinea and proceeded to Port Moresby remaining there for three weeks until the arrival of the Naval convoy from Sydney on September 4, 1914. Colonel Holmes inspected the Kanowna troops finding an enthusiastic group but completely inexperienced and ill-equipped due to the haste in mobilisation. Although the men were physically fit, the majority were only 18 to 20 years of age and many without military experience, adequate clothing or boots and the commandeered ship totally lacking proper accommodation for the duties ahead. The Kanowna’s crew had never volunteered nor been consulted and were disgruntled to the point of a stoppage. Nevertheless the following day, per Routine Order No 1, the fleet consisting of cruisers, submarines, destroyers, the transport Kanowna, a supply ship, a collier and an oil tanker would be taken on strength to rendezvous at Rossel Island.
On the morning of September 7 the convoy left Port Moresby but a mutiny of the firemen aboard Kanowna refused to stoke the engine protesting to go any further. Although volunteer troops offered to continue it was decided by the Colonel that as the Kanowna’s crew had not volunteered plus the unit’s hasty preparations for this expedition, the troopship should return to Townsville for disbandment and re-organisation.
The Kanowna returned its troops on September 18, 1914 to Townsville harbour and James Strubie was discharged that day. This service made him eligible for the British War Medal. Scores of men saw themselves as victims of the unfortunate situation and channelled their disappointment by joining the A.I.F.
Less than three days later James enlisted for overseas service on September 21, 1914 in Townsville, Qld and sworn in at Enoggera, Brisbane, Qld. Attestation Forms reveal his occupation was Mechanic and had been an apprentice for nine months to J. Maurice, Toowoomba Foundry. Increased his age to 21 years and 9 months, standing 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall, weighing 59.5kgs (131lbs) with a chest measurement of 84-89cms (33-35ins). Complexion was fair with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Presbyterian was religion and his Aunt, Mrs C. Green of Wills Street Townsville was named next-of-kin.
Basic training began at Enoggera Camp, Brisbane, Qld and on October 17, 1914 was assigned as Private to A Company, 15th Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade. Four days later on October 21, 1914 the following was dealt with:
Crime: I Absent without Leave for Roll Call
II Absent off Parade 6.30pm
Ten days after that on October 31, 1914 Private Strubie was discharged Medically Unfit from Enoggera Camp, Qld.
He re-enlisted a year later in Brisbane on October 15, 1915 leaving his occupation of Motor Mechanic and South Townsville district. Passed the medical examination and took the Oath the same day. Attestation information gives his age of 21 years 7 months and had been apprenticed as a Motor Mechanic to J. Chamberlain for 2½ years. Height was 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall and now weighing 70kgs (154lbs) increasing his chest expansion to 87-92cms (34-36ins). His features were still fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His faith was Presbyterian and Aunt Mrs Maggie Green of Wills Street Townsville remained the next-of-kin.
Training at the 7 Depot Battalion commenced immediately and home leave was taken in between Christmas and New Year, 1916.
The Townsville Daily Bulletin on Thursday January 6, 1916 reported the following news:
Training was completed on 23 March, 1916. Recruitment for mechanical tradesman saw his transfer to the Tunnelling Company on March 27, 1916 for further instruction.
Early in May, 1916 Sapper Strubie embarked aboard the 7713 ton transport A69 Warilda from Brisbane, Qld with 2 sections consisting of 6 officers and 152 Other Ranks and 1st Reinforcements of 15 O.Rs.
At Rosebery Park, NSW on May 12, 1916 was assigned to the No 4 Tunnelling Company in the rank of Sapper and the Regimental number 3380. A Headquarters and 2 Sections of NSW recruits (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) & 1st Reinforcements consisting of 1 officer & 17 other men joined them to complete the No 4 Tunnelling Company.
The No 4 Company embarked on HMAT A69 Warilda from Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania, made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men). 1 Section was from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs) and also 1st Reinforcements of 17 men from Vic. & 8 Tasmanian men. The ship left on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect 1 Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs. No 6 Company were signed up in W.A. of 14 officers & 325 O.Rs. also 1st Reinforcements 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs. The three companies departed Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916.
The troopship also docked at Durban, Cape Town and St Vincent before the troops disembarked at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916 after 58 days of mainly pleasant weather at sea. They were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth for further training at Perham Down’s camp.
The following matter took place on August 4, 1916:
Crime: AWL from 22.00 hrs 30/7/26 to 04.01 hrs 4/8/16
Award: 7 days detention and 6 day’s pay
Total forfeiture: 13 day’s pay.
On August 29, 1916 proceeded overseas to France and the next day marched into the 2nd Aust General Base Depot. Marched out to the Anzac Reinforcements camp on October 12, 1916 and was taken on strength two days later with the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company, a newly formed company taken from the tradesmen within the Mining Corps. This company whose abbreviated name was “The Alphabet Company” transpired to specialise in the mechanised mining elements such as electric lighting of saps and tunnels plus mechanical boring pursuits underground.
Sapper Strubie was married on November 12, 1916 by the parson at St James Church, London to Gertrude Edna May West who was born in France. His next-of-kin now became Mrs Edna May Strubie care of Mrs Haskins, 204 Ladbroke Grove, Paddington, London, E.S.
A transfer from 1/2 Cornwall Army Troops Company to Temporary attachment to 2nd Army workshops at Bailleul was noted on November 12, 1916.
On February 14, 1917 was taken sick to 14 Casualty Clearing Station and admitted for dilation of myocardium. Was transferred to 14 General Hospital, Wimereux with debility on February 20, 1917 then evacuated to England on the hospital ship St Denis from Boulogne, France two days later.
Admitted to 3 Southern General Hospital, Oxford with debility followed by Myalgia (slight) (Muscular pain) remaining until transferred to 3 Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford on March 9, 1917. He was discharged to furlough from March 12 and to report on March 27 at Perham Down’s camp.
The following discipline took place on March 29, 1917:
Crime: AWL from 3.30pm 27/3/17 to 4.00pm 28/3/17
Award: 5 days C.C. by Lt Crampton
Forfeits: 2 day’s pay 10/- ($1.00)
On April 21, 1917 marched into No 1 Command Depot and Sapper was admitted to 1st A.D.H, Bulford on April 25, 1917 for treatment of a social disease. He denied any disease and after three days of inconclusive tests returned to the Hardening & Draft Depot.
His father Mr Henry Strube of Brodie Street, Hughenden, Qld wrote on April 29, 1917 to Base Records requesting the address to write to his son. He had ascertained from the Military Department, Brisbane that his son had departed on April 2, 1916 with the Tunnelling Corps.
Base Records replied on May 12, 1917 with the address stating that no casualty reports had been received for his son to date. Any cabled reports would be communicated with his son’s requested next-of-kin which was his Aunt Mrs Maggie Green residing in Townsville, Qld. News received was published in the:
The following was dealt with by his company:
Crime: AWL from 12 noon 9/6/17 to 4.00pm 11/6/17
Award: 7 days F.P. No 2 by Major Steele
Total Forfeiture: 10 days pay £2.10 ($4.20)
On June 18, 1917 left A.A.S.G. Training camp at No 4 Camp, Perham Downs to the Overseas Training Camp at Parkhouse camp. While at camp this occurred:
Crime: AWL from 24.00 hrs 23/6/17 to 17.30 hrs 25/6/17
Award: 6 days F.P. No 2 by Lt C. McMorland
Total forfeiture: 8 days pay £2 ($4)
The following took place on August 18, 1917 again at Parkhouse camp.
Crime: AWL from 16.00 hrs 16/8/17 to 16.30 hrs 17/8/17
Award: 6 days F.P. No 2 by Lt C. McMorland
Total forfeiture: 3 days pay.
Punishment was issued on August 31, 1917:
Crime: AWL from 6.30pm 29/8/17 and the making of a false statement to C.O.
Award: Two hours extra parade for 3 days.
Admitted to Delhi Military hospital, Tidworth on September 25, 1917 suffering from Polypus (Tumour projecting from a mucus membrane) and was discharged to A.A.S.C. Training Depot on October 6, 1917.
An extract from his letter appeared in the Townsville Daily Bulletin on Wednesday September 26, 1917:
His wife changed her address on December 4, 1917 to Mrs Edna May Strubie, Quebec House, 15 Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch, London. No will was noted on his forms.
On October 4, 1917 Sapper Strubie appeared before the Medical Board at Parkhouse. His Medical Report including the Ear & Throat Specialist are combined as follows:
Marched out to No 2 Command Depot, Parkhouse on January 16, 1918 where a final Medical Board opinion was given the next day as permanently unfit for all services.
Mrs Edna Strubie changed her address to 9 Wilton Terrace, Shipton, Billinger, Harts, England which was noted on January 28, 1918.
On February 1, 1918 Sapper / Driver Strubie embarked on the transport HT Argyllshire from Plymouth, England to return to Australia. (Wife not mentioned on his forms) The ship docked at Cape Town, South Africa where the following took place on March 6, 1918:
Crime: Absent without Leave in Capetown 3/3/18
Award: 168 hours detention.
He transferred to the R.M.S. Osterley which departed Capetown on March 28, 1918 for Sydney, NSW. It docked in the 2nd Military District (NSW) on April 15, 1918 and he departed for the 1st M.D. (Qld).
He was admitted to the 6 A.G.H., Brisbane, Qld the next day diagnosed with deafness. Remarks were: Feels well at present. Spleen not palpable. Heart good. He was released from hospital on May 17, 1918.
Discharged medically unfit due to deafness occurred on May 29, 1918 in the 1st M.D. (Qld). The same day this notice appeared in the:
Military Authorities placed the following advertisement in the:
Sapper / Driver 3380 James Strubie received the British War Medal (18132) and the Victory Medal (17701) for serving for his country.
A memo sent to Base Records dated February 8, 1922 from George West of 185½ miles West of Cockburn Line, via Nackara, South Australia enquiring the whereabouts of his brother-in-law James Strubie was replied to on August 20, 1923. They advised his discharge date in Brisbane, Qld and the situation had been referred to Headquarters, 1st District Base, Victoria Barracks, Brisbane, Qld. No further communication is recorded.
Reports of a man injured named J. Strubie was published in the:
In the Electoral Rolls for Herbert (Townsville) the following entries are recorded:
1922 STRUBIE, James – Bennetts, Ninth Avenue, Railway Estate
1925 STRUBIE, James – Mrs Caldwells, Main Street, West End, tractor driver
James Strubie died in Queensland on September 29, 1961 aged 67 years.
His brother also served:
WILLIAM ROBERT STRUBIE
209 – 12th Machine Gun Company
Born in Charters Towers, Queensland on August 16, 1892 and enlisted in Hughenden, Qld on October 4, 1916 leaving his occupation of Carter. He passed the medical examination and was sworn in there. His father Harry Strubie of Marathon Street, Marathon, Qld was named his next-of-kin but in December, 1916 changed to Post Office Hughenden, Qld.
Embarked from Australia on RMS Omrah on January 17, 1917 and docked at Devonport, England on March 27, 1917. Proceeded to France on May 29, 1917. Assigned to 12 Machine Gun Company until stricken by Influenza and evacuated to England.
Returned to France placed with 4 Machine Gun Battalion on June 23, 1918.
Received Contused back and fractured ribs by an accidental injury on October 13, 1918 and evacuated to England.
Invalided to Australia on January 2, 1919 medically unfit due to fractured ribs and discharged on March 27, 1919 in 1st Military district (Qld).