"Wally" Walter Edward JAMES
Born 29 September 1892 in Footscray, Victoria, Australia [16]
Son of Jack Harry JAMES and Elizabeth Jane GRIBBLE [54]
Shifted from Victoria, Australia to Western Australia with his parents and resided with them in Leake Street, Cottesloe [P205]
In 1915 was working as an electrician and was residing with his parents in Leake Street in Cottesloe [30: item 7369144]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 12 October 1915 in Perth, Western Australia [30: item 7369144]
On enlistment was described as 5 feet 6¾ inches tall, weighing 133 lbs with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion [30]
Attended the Australian Imperial Force's Signal School from 10 November 1915 to 8 March 1916 [30]
Embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. Ascanius on 27 May 1916 [30]
After further training in England proceeded to France on 22 November 1916 [30]
Sapper 10849 in the Australian Imperial Force's 3rd Divisional Signal Company in France during the First World War [30]
On 4 October 1917 received a gunshot wound to his right arm and back and was subsequently returned to England for treatment [30]
Following his discharge from hospital he was transferred to the Australian Corps Signal Company [30]
Embarked from England on the Somali on 1 June 1919 and disembarked in Australia on 8 July 1919 [30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 21 September 1919; awarded the Military, British War and Victory Medals [30]
Married Olive Grace HUTCHINSON in Perth in 1923 [66]
Following his marriage he resided with his wife at 224 Nicholson Road in Subiaco WA [P205]
By April 1939 was living in Carnamah, Western Australia [0: images 02818]
In 1939 his wife resided in Bunbury, however visited him in Carnamah [0: image 03789]
PMG Linesman / Line Foreman in Carnamah [P4] from 1940 until 1947[0: image 03034] [19]
Member of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the Returned Soldiers League in 1939 and in the 1940s [52]
Attended the public meeting held on Saturday 7 December 1940 in regards to the formation of a Rifle Club in Carnamah [85]
Elected Inaugural Captain of the Carnamah Miniature Rifle Club on the motion of Walter T. WHITE and Harold F. DUNNING [85]
Member of the Carnamah Miniature Rifle Club 1940-1945 - was Captain in 1940 and 1941 [0: images 04261 & 04336] [85]
Member of the Carnamah Volunteer Defence Corps in 1941 [4: 29-Mar-1941]
Resided in Carnamah until 1947 [6]
Later resided in the Perth suburb of Subiaco [6]
Father of Edward and Merle [84]
Died 30 April 1986; ashes interred Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth WA (Sir T. Meagher Gardens, Lawn 5B, Ground Niche, C, 3) [2]
His wife Olive, late of Waterman WA, died at the age of 99 years on 24 April 1998 [2]
From The Commonwealth Gazette, No. 133, 21 August 1917:
Walter Edward James. Military Medal. "At Armentieres on the night 28th/29th January, 1917, during a raid on the enemy trenches, he acted as linesman with the O.C. Raid. For four hours before the raid he prepared and patrolled special lines. After the raid commenced, and when communications were cut, he went four times through a heavy enemy barrage, and took messages back to the nearest signal station. On three previous occasions he had shown conspicuous ability and coolness whilst acting as linesman to Officers Commanding Raids. Strength of raiding party - 8 Officers and 216 other ranks."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Walter Edward James' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 19 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/walter-edward-james [reference list] |
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