Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Birth

James Copeland was born in approximately January 1883 in Adelaide, South Australia. His exact birth date is yet to be located. He was the 8th child and 4th son of Robert and Elizabeth Copeland (nee Longridge).

His parents had originated in Northern Ireland and had arrived in South Australia in 1877. James was the third of their children to be born in South Australia. His father was a plasterer. 

Schooling

James was admitted to Currie Street School on the 27th July 1891 when he was about 8 years old. He is believed to have been living at Elizabeth Street with his parents at the time. The entry says he previously attended Miss Clausen's School at Birkenhead. He is recorded as leaving the Currie Street School in September of 1892.

Medical Problem

James was known to have medical problems by 1903, when he was only 20 years old. His army service record states that during this year he had suffered a cough and difficulty breathing at night. He was treated for asthma.

World War 1

James enlisted in the First Wolrd War on 19/8/1914 at Broadmeadows in Victoria. He gave his birth place as Adelaide, South Australia, and his age as 30 years 8 months (placing his birth in approximately 1883). He gave his trade as labourer and listed his mother as next of kin. He recorded her address at the time as 28 Bendigo Street, North Melbourne, Victoria.

James stated that he had spent one month with the school cadets, placed with the 17th Light Horse. At his medical examination, he was found to be 5ft 9inches in height, weight 10 stone, 2 pounds, chest 35/38 inches, with fair complexion, yellowish eyes and brown hair. The yellowish colour of James’ eyes may be indicative of the medical problem he first experienced at age 20 and also of future medical problems he was to face.

He was placed with the 4th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Private. He embarked on 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on the HMAT Wiltshire.

On 19th Feburary 1915, James was admitted to hospital with pain in his limbs and a cough. He began to feel better on the 24th of the month.

James then joined his unit in Gallipoli in May and remained there until December of the same year. His troop had been sent as reinforcements without their horses. Much of the regiment's time at Gallipoli was spent defending the precarious ANZAC position, most frequently around Ryrie's Post. James was in good health while there, but had occassional attacks of shortness of breath on exertion. This was later diagnosed as bronchitis and emphysema.

James was promoted to Sergeant Cook in December of 1915 and transferred to regional headquarters in Alexandria. While there, he went on an 'alcoholic outburst' for 2 weeks, and his medical condition turned into pneumonia. He was continually in and out of hospital for the next few months. He could not continue to work, and a decision was made to discharge him as permanently medically unfit at the end of March 1916. 

James was sent back to Australia aboard the ship 'Itonus' on 10th June 1916.

Life after the war

James was working as a labourer on the Balranald railway in October of 1928. He was living in a tent as many other labourers were when a fire burnt his and several other tents down. In the process, James lost his army discharge papers. 

He wrote a letter to the military declaring this and was issued a new document for identification purposes. 

Death

James died on the 13th July 1953 in Victoria, Australia. He was 70 years old.

It is not known at this stage whether he had a wife or any children.