Sapper William James

SAPPER WILLIAM JAMES

7840 - 3rd Tunnelling Company

William James was born on March 28, 1879 at Lambton, New South Wales the son of Moses and Mary Ann James. Military experience was stated to have been with the Woundson Skins.

From the age of seventeen William began a list of Convictions with various Police Courts which are as follows:

In 1902 he married Ethel Gertrude Forbes with their marriage registered at Lambton, NSW. His convictions continued:

Circumstances surrounding the manslaughter charge were reported in the:

The sentence was served in Bathurst Goal and his physical description on admittance was given as 169cms (5ft 6½ins) in height, entry weight 65.4kgs (144lbs) with dark brown hair and dark eyes. Special features were noted of a tattoo of a woman on the inside of his right forearm and an anchor and dogs head on the left forearm. Religion was Methodist and his Education noted he could read and write. Occupation was a labourer and a British Subject.

At the recruiting depot at West Maitland, NSW on June 26, 1917 the thirty-six year old coal miner applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the preliminary medical examination Attestation forms were then completed which describe the volunteer as 170cms (5ft 7ins) tall, weighing 68kgs (150lbs) with a chest expansions of 86-97cms (34-38ins). Complexion was medium with his brown eyes testing to good vision and had brown hair. Distinctive marks were a tattoo mark on his right forearm, and scar on front foot and penis. He suffered from no fits, convulsions or insanity. Methodist was his religious faith. Next of kin was nominated as his brother Rolland James (later spelt Rowland) as his wife Ethel Gertrude James’ whereabouts were unknown. He was sworn in the same day. Later he was medically assessed again at Victoria Barracks, Sydney where dental treatment was noted.

Basic training commenced at the Sydney Showgrounds camp with the Engineers Depot from July 9, 1917 and three days later was transferred to the Engineer Reinforcements until August 11, 1917. He was relocated to the Tunnellers’ Training Camp at Seymour, Victoria the next day joining the May Reinforcements remaining till August 28 then assigned to the November, 1917 Reinforcements. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 7840. They were transferred to Bendigo camp for specialised training until November 2. Back to Seymour to complete training then moved out to Broadmeadows camp, Melbourne for an overnight stay in preparation for departure abroad on November 20, 1917. His Will had been completed in preparation for departure and kept with the Company’s records.

The troopship HMAT A71 Nestor departed Port Melbourne, Vic on November 21, 1917 with the 168 Reinforcements on board. 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.

They entrained for Alexandria on January 4, 1918 and marched into the Australian Camp, Gabbary, in Alexandria on January 5. While there disciplinary action took place:

Crime: 5th & 6th January, 1918 Gabbary

(1) Being absent without leave (under 6 hours)

(2) Refusing to obey a lawful command in such a manner as to show a

wilful defiance of authority.

Award: 168 hours detention by Major J. Belton HMAT Nestor

Three days later the men boarded on January 8, 1918 the Transport E620 Abbasiah, disembarking at Taranto, Italy on 12 January. Further disciplinary action was given as follows:

Crime: Farouza 14/1/18

(1) Drunk (2) Resisting arrest (3) Insubordination to his O.C. when

addressing his Company

Award: 168 hours detention by Major J. Belton HMAT Abbasiah 16/1/18

It was an unusual journey for the troops to undertake the weeklong train travel from Taranto to Cherbourg, France, and then cross the English Channel to Southampton, England disembarking on January 24, 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 Reinforcement proceeded to France on March 10, 1918 from Southampton arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles the next day. On March 23 they left for the Aust Corps Depot in Caestre arriving on March 26, 1918.

On May 22, 1918 Sapper left the Auxiliary Troops Company, Aust Engineers for the Aust Corps Depot in Pernois then marched out to the 3rd Tunnelling Company in the field arriving two days later and was taken on strength on May 26.

He went sick on June 27, 1918 to the 34th Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) uncertain origin) and conveyed on A.T.20 on July 1 and admitted the next day to the 2nd Aust General Hospital in Boulogne. On August 16 was transferred to 7th Convalescent Camp with myalgia (muscular pain) then discharged to the 5th Rest Camp in Boulogne the following day.

He marched into the A.G.B.D. at Rouelles on August 20 leaving two days later to return to his company and rejoined on August 27, 1918.

He went before the Commanding Officer for discipline as follows:

Crime: 11/10/18 W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service]

Using abusive language to a superior officer

Award: 14 days F.P. No.1 [Field punishment] by C.O. 3rd Tun. Coy 12/10/18

He was with his unit when Peace was declared and the Company remained on the front as part of the army of occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of their district by clearing roads and defusing booby traps left by the enemy.

Leave from France was granted from January 10 and rejoined his unit on January 27, 1919.

Orders were received to prepare to return to Base Depot on February 6, 1919 and they left the A.G.B.D. on February 21 crossing the English Channel and marched in to the Reserve Brigade Aust Artillery Camp in Heytesbury the next day. On March 19 he left for the 2nd Training Brigade camp at Codford.

He was allocated to return home on the transport Sardinia but became sick while at No. 3 Group Camp on April 15, 1919 and sent to the 4th General Hospital in Codford. He returned to his camp on April 20.

After demobilisation Sapper James embarked for Australia on board H.T. Zealandia on May 17, 1919. Base Records advised his next-of-kin on June 14, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship docked in Sydney (2nd Military District) on July 1, 1919. News of their arrival was published in the:

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on July 24, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.

His Will was returned on October 18, 1919 to be kept in Records held at the 2nd Military District Headquarters.

For Service for his country Sapper 7840 William James, 3rd Tunnelling Company was issued with the British War Medal (79394) and the Victory Medal (75468).

The Sydney Branch of the Repatriation Department applied to Base Records for a copy of his Service which was forwarded to them on August 26, 1935.

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia at the Cessnock Sub-Branch forwarded his Declaration dated September 12, 1936 as he applied for a Duplicate Discharge Certificate.

He declared in his Statutory Declaration that the original Certificate had been “stolen with a suit of clothes about 1920.” His address was care of the Post Office Mount View Road, South Cessnock, NSW.

In 1943 he address was 13 Garland Lane, off Union Street, Newcastle with no occupation listed.

William James passed away on March 3, 1945 aged 68 years. His small Obituary was published in:

His grave is located in the Primitive-Methodist portion of Sandgate Cemetery, NSW within section NW8 in lot no. 43.