SAPPER GEORGE HENRY JAMES
2353 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Surrey Hills, Sydney, New South Wales was the birthplace of George Henry ‘Harry’ James in 1892 the son of George A. and Maria James.
An apprenticeship was served over five years as a plumber with the Public Works Department. He married in 1916 to Laura Estelle Farthing with the marriage registered at St Leonard’s, NSW.
A memo from the Engineers’ Depot at Moore Park dated February 10, 1916 to the Enrolling Officer at Victoria Barracks stated that:
At the Recruiting Depot at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, NSW on February 10, 1916 the twenty-four year old applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars taken reveal he was married and stood 164cms (5ft 4½ins) tall with a chest expansion of 82-89cms (32-35ins) with the postal address at Nicholson Street, St Leonard’s, NSW. Declared fit the recruiting officer accepted his application.
Attestation Forms were completed three days later which describe him further weighing 52.5kgs (115lbs) with a medium complexion, brown eyes that tested to good vision and had brown hair. Religious faith was Church of England. Next-of-kin nominated was his wife Laura Estelle James of Oxford Street, Narremburn, NSW. He was sworn in the next day.
Allotted to ‘C Coy’, Depot Battalion at Casula camp near Liverpool, NSW for basic training but assigned on February 14, 1916 to the 2nd Reinforcements to the No.1 Company of the Mining Corps with the regimental number 2353 in the rank of Sapper. His kit inspection noted the following items:
1 pair boots, 1 greatcoat, 2 suits dungarees, 2 drawers, 1 cardigan, 2 shirts, 2 singlets, 2 pairs sox, 2 blankets, 1 w. sheet, 1set tinware and 1 set cutlery.
On March 28, 1916 he was training with the Reinforcements at Rosebery Park, Sydney.
The Reinforcement consisting of 3 Officers and 177 Other Ranks (180 members) embarked from Sydney, NSW on March 31, 1916 on the transport HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. The ship arrived at Colombo, Ceylon on April 4, 1916 and after refuelling departed the following day. The vessel docked at the Suez, Egypt on May 3, 1916 where the Reinforcements disembarked after 33 days at sea. The weather during the voyage was cold and rough. The Star of Victoria departed the next day for Port Said and spent the day in port May 5, 1916. From the Suez the men were transported to Alexandria where they were transhipped to the City of Edinburgh leaving on May 5 for the crossing to France. They arrived at Marseilles on May 17 and were entrained to Etaples marching into the Aust General Base Depot on June 1, 1916.
Harry’s civil qualifications as a plumber were more beneficial to the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was transferred on October 3, 1916 to the company.
On November 5, 1916 he went sick to the 131st Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) Uncertain Origin) and returned to his unit ten days later. Again he went sick on December 29, 1916 with Laryngitis entering the 134th Field Ambulance and rejoined his unit on January 8, 1917.
Service continued without incident and was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months abroad.
His wife wrote to Base Records advising that she had moved from 14 Raglan Street, Darlington to “Nyee”, Coolgardie Street, Willoughby and all information regarding Sapper James to please forward to Rev. Pearce, Rhodes Avenue, Naremburn, North Sydney. A printed card reply acknowledged receipt of her letter.
Snippets taken from a letter written home by the soldier was printed in the:
On March 3, 1918 he was reported to be with his unit in an audit of the company. His last payment made in France was on April 21, 1918.
Leave was granted on August 22, 1918 and he returned on September 5. He was with the company when Peace was declared and they remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies to those rehabilitating their districts.
Mrs L.E. James advised Base Records on October 26, 1918 that her address had changed from 3 Coolgardie Street, Willoughby to ‘Walamulla’ Nicholson Street, Crow’s Nest. Acknowledgement back to her was by printed card.
Orders were received for demobilisation on March 26, 1919 and returned to the A.G.B.D. marching out to Havre and crossed the English Channel from France on April 2, 1919 and arrived at the No. 3 Group camp at Codford the next day.
After demobilisation Sapper James embarked for Australia on May 11, 1919 on the H.T. Borda. His wife was advised by Base Records on June 16, 1919 that he was on his way home. The List of soldiers returning was published in the:
The ship arrived in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on June 28, 1919 and the men were transported to the Anzac Buffet in the Domain. There he was examined and tested by the medical board and found not to have any disability or abnormality resulting from his war service. A Dental check was also done.
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August 14, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.
Sapper 2353 George Henry James, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (36999) and the Victory Medal (36432) for service for his country.
In 1930 their address was ‘Weerona’ Tunks Street, Northbridge, Sydney with his occupation as a plumber and from then on it was listed as 44 Tunks Street, Northbridge.
George Henry James passed away on November 12, 1955 aged 63 years. Family arrangements were placed in the:
His wife died a week later on November 17, 1955 in the Mater Hospital, Sydney at 62 years of age.
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:
1928H. JamesTunks Street, Northbridge
1934H. JamesTunks Street, NorthbridgeNotation: Deceased Nov. 1955
1960-68H. JamesNotation: Deceased Reported Reveille
Sept issue 1956
© Donna Baldey 2013