SAPPER JAMES ERNEST AUGUSTUS LAVERY
5563 – 1st Tunnelling Company
Warrnambool, Victoria was the birthplace of James Ernest Augustus Lavery the son of Robert and Ellen Norah (nee Bassett) Lavery. He married at Fremantle, W.A. in 1910 to Theresa Mary Hill. In 1916 they were residing at Norseman, W.A. where he worked as a Railway Ganger.
At forty-one years of age he enlisted for Active Service at Kalgoorlie, W.A. and passed his medical examination at Blackboy Hill Camp, W.A. on March 16, 1916. Attestation Forms were completed which give particulars of height 169cm (5ft 6½ins) and weight 74.5kgs (164lbs) with a chest measurement of 102cms (40ins). Fair was his complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. Roman Catholic was his religion. Next of kin was his wife Mrs Theresa Mary Lavery of 492 Railway Cottage, Norseman, W.A. He signed and took the “Oath of Allegiance” the same day.
Basic training commenced at Blackboy Hill camp with the 54th Depot Battalion until May 10, 1916 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Training camp at Seymour, Vic for specialised training. He was assigned to the October 1916 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 5563. On July 22 was promoted to Lance Corporal progressing on August 1, 1916 to the rank of Corporal. On October 25th he was promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant with E.D.P. [Extra Duty Pay] for the voyage only. Later this would be amended to the rank of Sergeant following an investigation into his promotions and pay.
The 516 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth. The Reinforcements marched into the Aust Details Camp at Perham Downs for further training.
The Reinforcements departed Folkstone for France on January 28, 1917 on board the ship SS Onward and arrived at the Aust General Base Depot at Etaples a day later. On February 5, 1917 his rank reverted to Sapper and the next day he was attached (Supernumeracy) to the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field. He was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant the following day and remained until July 15, 1917 when he became sick and his rank reverted to Sapper once again.
He was taken to the 50th Field Hospital suffering from a Hernia and transferred to the N.Z. Stationary Hospital at Hazebrouck the following day and admitted with O.U.O.L. Inguinal Hernia. On July 21 was conveyed on Aust. Train to No. 8 General Hospital for seven days with left Inguinal Hernia before being invalided to England on the hospital ship Warilda and admitted to the Reading War Hospital, Reading diagnosis being Trench Fever.
Mrs Lavery received the following Telegram from Base Records on August 8, 1917:
And a second Telegram was sent with further news the same day:
On September 27, 1917 after fifty-eight days as a patient he was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield and after eight days treatment on October 4 was discharged to furlough and report back to Codford. On November 19 he was admitted to the Fovant Military Hospital and discharged on November 22, 1917 to the Training Depot at Fovant.
He appeared before a Medical Board on February 14, 1918 at No. 4 Command Depot and his Statement of Case:
Disability:Premature Senility and Debility
Essential Facts:He was sent from France (rest of line obliterated) on 10/7/17 with Trench
Fever and Hernia. He had an operation for the Hernia but has been troubled with pains in his legs and thighs and headaches frequently ever since then. Trench fever. Has been unable to walk very well since.
Cause of Disability:Trench Fever at Kemmel Hill, Flanders, 10.7.17
Caused by:Climate
Present condition:(To Feint and unreadable)
Classification:C1
Recommendation:Permanently Unfit for General Service; Fit for Home Service.
Two days later he entered the No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott. On April 3, 1918 following an investigation of his rank and movements from embarkation until that date were amended to read according to the ruling. The same day he marched out to the Pioneer Training Battalion until May 27 when he went to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.
After the inquiry into the promotions and pay of Sapper Lavery any discrepancy was paid to him in England on June 11, 1918.
On August 8, 1918 Sapper Lavery boarded the H.T. D19 Carpentaria which departed for Australia to be discharged due to premature Senility and Debility. In September his wife was notified of his impending return. The ship docked in Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) about September 28, 1918 and he went to the No. 8 Aust General Hospital at Fremantle for treatment of Trench Fever and a slightly dilated heart. The Statement as to his condition on discharge from hospital stated:
Trench fever. Pain and tenderness both tibia and swelling of legs after walking. Heart slightly dilated, blurred mitral point sound. Complains of slight dribbling at end of urination. No apparent abnormality. Herniotomy for left hernia. No disability. D.P.U. Incapacity. 3rd Ciii ?.
He was discharged to the Staff Officer for Invalid & Returned Soldiers D.P.U.on September 30, 1918.
Military Discharge took place in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on October 14, 1918 due to medical unfitness of premature senility and debility and he returned to Norseman, W.A.
His welcome home was reported in the Western Argus on Tuesday October 22, 1918:
The following year James Ernest Augustus Lavery died on March 24, 1919 aged about 44 years. He was buried in the Cemetery at Norseman, W.A. and his demise was registered at Dundas, W.A.
Sapper 5563 James Ernest A. Lavery, 1st Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (18422) and the Victory Medal (17774) for serving his country. These medals were forwarded to the Barracks (5th M.D.) for collection by the soldier but due to his death remained uncollected. They were returned to Base Records on September 30, 1924.
A letter to Mrs Lavery dated October 18, 1924 at 492 Railway Cottage, Norseman, W.A. was sent from Base Records inquiring if this address would find her as they desired to transmit both medals to her on account of service of her late husband. The letter was returned to Base Records marked ‘left district, return’.
Base Records wrote on January 23, 1925 to the Repatriation Commission, Perth, W.A. requesting the present address of Mrs Lavery or any information to get in touch with her. They also inquired if she was in receipt of a Pension and at what Post Office is the grant drawn and the Certificate number of same. On February 17, 1925 a similar letter was sent to the Department of Repatriation in Adelaide, S.A.
On February 6, 1925 the Repatriation Department, Perth Branch answered stating that the pension payable to the widow was transferred to Adelaide, S.A. on December 16, 1921.
The Adelaide Branch of the Repatriation Department replied to Base Records on February 20, 1925 advising them that the pension of the widow of James Ernest A. Lavery was transferred to Melbourne, Vic on 28/1/21. Her address was given as Argyle Street, Traralgon, Gippsland, .Vic. A copy of their memorandum had been forwarded to the Melbourne Branch for immediate attention.
On March 3, 1925 the Victorian Branch of the Repatriation Department replying to the referral of the letter sent from Adelaide advised that the present address of Mrs Theresa M. Lavery was 38 Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne, Vic and the Certificate No. 350929 for pension was being paid at Victoria Market Post Office.
Base Records forwarded the War Medals to Mrs Lavery on March 16, 1925 under registered post (2950) and an immediate reply from her arrived on March 20, 1925 to Base Records as a letter of thanks and acknowledging the receipt of her late husband’s medals of which she was very proud.
His name appears on the Nation’s Roll of Honour for those who died in the Great War within the eligible period for illness due to war service.
LEST WE FORGET
© Donna Baldey 2010