SAPPER GORDON WILLIAM JAMES
7839 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Gordon William James was born in 1895 in Wollongong, New South Wales, the son of William and Caroline James. Military experience was gained by four years with the Engineers’ Militia and an apprenticeship of five years as an electrician attained with the Metropolitan Water Board.
At the Wentworth Division Recruiting Depot at Bondi Junction, Sydney, NSW on June 11, 1917 the twenty-two year old applied to enlist for active service abroad. Attestation Papers describe him as 173cms (5ft 8ins) tall, weighing 69kgs (152lbs) with a chest measurement of 86cms (34ins). Complexion was fair with brown eyes that tested to good vision and had fair hair. Distinctive marks noted were a scar on left shin and a scar on the right upper forearm. Presbyterian was his religious denomination. Next-of-kin nominated initially was his mother Mrs Caroline James of ‘Boscawen’ Fitzroy Street, Burwood and later changed to his father Mr William James of Mary Cottage, Kenny Street, Wollongong, NSW. He was sworn in the same day.
As a recruit he entered the Showgrounds camp, Sydney on July 10, 1917 then moved to the Engineer Reinforcement camp, 2nd Military District on July 17 remaining until August 9 when relocated to the Tunnelling Companies Training camp at Seymour, Victoria. On August 28 the men moved to Bendigo for further training until October 22 where he was promoted to Acting Corporal. On November 2 they returned to Seymour and were assigned to the November, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. His regimental number was 7839 in the rank of Sapper. In preparation for departure his Will was noted to have been lodged with William Anderson, care of Anderson Gross Coy, 2-4 Levy Street, Redfern, Sydney, NSW. The Reinforcement travelled to Melbourne on November 20 for an overnight stay at Broadmeadows camp in readiness for departure the next day.
The troopship HMAT A71 Nestor departed Port Melbourne, Vic on November 21, 1917 with 168 Reinforcements on board and Sapper James was appointed to be Corporal for the ‘voyage only’. The voyage of twenty-five days duration terminated at the Suez on December 15, 1917 and the men disembarked going to the Australian Infantry Camp, Suez the same day. Appointment to the rank of Acting Sergeant was issued on December 23, 1917.
On January 9, 1918 the Reinforcements left Port Said aboard the H.M.T. B:102 Kashgar arriving at Taranto, Italy on January 20. A week later in Italy were entrained at Bordighira on January 27 and reached Cherbourg, France at the end of the month. On January 31, 1918 the H.M.T. C.O.168 Mona’s Queen conveyed them across the English Channel where they disembarked at Southampton, England on February 2, 1918. A further entrainment completed their journey to Tidworth and they marched into No. 3 Details Camp at Parkhouse for further training for the front. The same day he reverted to the rank of Sapper.
The Reinforcement proceeded to France on March 10, 1918 from Southampton and marched into the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles a day later. On March 17 marched out to the Aust Corps Depot to be allotted to companies and Sapper James was to be assigned to the 2nd Tunnelling Company.
His civil qualifications of electrician were more beneficial to the work of the Aust Electrical and Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was attached on Supernumerary Strength on March 19, 1918.
Service continued and was counted in an audit of the company on May 9, 1918 and was taken on strength on August 1, 1918. After Peace was declared, the company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies to those rehabilitating their districts.
On December 19, 1918 Sapper was admitted to the 3/2 Wessex Field Ambulance with Influenza and transferred to the 6th Canadian General Hospital at Troyes in a dangerously ill condition caused by Influenza and Broncho-pneumonia. On Christmas Eve, 1918 he was discharged to duty and three days later granted leave to Paris but while on leave a relapse of Influenza occurred on December 29 was permitted to enter the Field General Hospital, Tauville.
It appears that he was moved to the 5th General Hospital and Base Records advised his father on January 15, 1919 that his son had been admitted ill to hospital. Discharge from hospital was on March 8, 1919.
His name was listed in the Casualty List published in the:
On March 17, 1919 left the 5th General Hospital for England and admitted to the King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London with broncho-pneumonia. Two days later was moved to the Queen Alexandria military hospital at Millbank. On March 24 went to the 3rd Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford remaining a patient there until discharged to the hospital ship Karoola on May 6, 1919. Next-of-kin had been advised on April 15 of his hospitalisation on March 19.
The Karoola embarked from Southampton with Sapper James an invalid for the voyage to Australia. Next-of-kin were advised by Base Records on May 28, 1919 that he was on his way home. His name was listed by the Defence Department as returning and printed in the:
Notice for families of returning soldiers on the hospital ship was published in the:
The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on June 28, 1919.
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney, (2nd M.D.) on November 28, 1919 as medically unfit.
For serving his country Sapper 7839 Gordon William James, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company received the British War Medal (79393) and the Victory Medal (73467).
He married in 1921 to Edith Millicent Kennedy with the marriage registered at Burrowa, New South Wales.
From 1930 to 1943 their residence was at 10 Elphinstone Street, Concord with his occupation as electrical inspector. In 1949 it is recorded being ‘Woodlawn’, Avalon Beach Parade, Avalon Beach, NSW and he was a civil servant.
A Statement of Service was requested by the Sydney Department of the Repatriation Commission and sent from Base Records on May 26, 1952.
Gordon William James passed away on June 21, 1952 aged 58 years. Public announcement and funeral arrangements were published in the:
His grave is located in the Presbyterian Section of the Wollongong Cemetery, NSW.
REUNIONS
Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:
1928G.W. JamesPrincess Avenue, North Strathfieldchanged to: Elect Engrs Depot, Water &
Sewerage Board, Pitt Street, Sydney
1934G.W. JamesElect Depot, Water & Sewerage Board,
Pitt Street, SydneyNotation: Deceased 21/6/1952
© Donna Baldey 2013