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James was the son of Thomas ROBINSON & Grace MCCALLUM and was born on the 1st of September 1894 in Mannanarie, SA

His parents were married on the 2nd of February 1887 in the Wesleyan Church, Jamestown, SA.

His father was the son of Samuel Clarke ROBINSON & Jane GEORGE and was born on the 8th of June 1865 in Mintaro, SA.
His mother was the daughter of Alexander MCCALLUM & Elizabeth JOHNS and was born on the 20th of December 1865 in Sandy Creek, SA.

James was the fourth child born into the family of 6 children.

His father was a farmer and they lived at Section 20, Hundred of Mannanarie – (now 229 Mount Lock Road).

James and his siblings attended the Mannanarie Public School and he then took up farming with his father.

In 1915 James joined the 24th Light Horse Regiment.

At the age of 21, James enlisted into the AIF on the 29th of February 1916 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 795 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp. He was then posted to the newly raised 43rd Battalion, A Company on the 9th of March at Morphettville Camp.

James embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916.
He served in France and was wounded before embarking from England on the 20th of May 1919 on board HT Nestor and disembarking in Adelaide on the 29th of June.

He returned home to Mannanarie and on Thursday evening, the 17th of July a welcome home social was given to him in the local hall and he was presented with a wallet containing a gift of money.

James was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of August 1919.

On the 20th of July 1921 James secures a Soldier Settlement Grant, being Sections 15 & 21, Hundred of Mannanarie.
Then in September 1921 he purchased Sections 17 (239 acres) & 18 (198 acres), Hundred of Mannanarie from his father.

James married Violet Adelaide NEWMAN on the 18th of April 1927 in Christ Church, Strathalbyn.
Violet was the daughter of Frederick NEWMAN & Mary SPENCER and was born on the 23rd of March 1903 in Yankalilla, SA

They welcomed their only child; David Thomas Newman on the 30th of June 1928 in Mannanarie.

Their property was called “Highfields” and James was a well respected sheep farmer with Violet establishing a small Jersey Stud of just 18 cows.
Although this was a little stud, Violet won many prizes at the local shows and the Royal Adelaide Show.

James was also a member of the Yongala RSL.

In 1964 they transferred the land to their son and moved to 269 Lady Gowrie Drive, Largs North.

James died on the 5th of January 1978 and was buried 2 days later in the Jamestown Cemetery; Section B, Row S, Plot 18.

Violet died on the 27th of July 1984 and was buried next to James in the Jamestown Cemetery.

Military

At the age of 21, James enlisted into the AIF on the 29th of February 1916 in Adelaide and allotted the service number 795 and posted to E Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp.
He listed his mother, of Mannanarie, as his next of kin.

James was then posted to the newly raised 43rd Battalion, A Company on the 9th of March at Morphettville Camp.
The Battalion consisted of men who had but recently enlisted, and were practically raw recruits, most of whom had joined up in January and February.

Early in April musketry was commenced throughout the Battalion with each section forming a separate squad and undergoing ten days progressive instruction in the art of handling the rifle, the course being completed by the firing of an application and grouping practice on the miniature range in the dry bed of the Sturt River.
An open range was prepared in the sand hills between Glenelg and Henley, where for two days portions of the Battalion were engaged with the service rifle; but the working of these targets proved so slow and tedious that arrangements were made to secure the use of the butts at Port Adelaide, special trains conveying the troops to and from this place. Two complete days firing was given to each company, during which grouping, application, snap shooting, and rapid practices at 100, 200, and 300 yards were completed.
James gained four days leave, known as "long leave," on the 19th and this embraced the Easter Holidays, this being the last furlough granted prior to the Battalion's departure from Australia. The free weekends still being maintained and to those living within thirty miles of Adelaide, when desired, was extended to Monday morning.

The Battalion attended a number of functions and ceremonies, chief among which were the presentation of colours at Glenelg, the Military Tattoo on the Jubilee Oval, and the farewell dinner provided in the Exhibition Building by the Cheer-up Society; while occasional trips to the theatre were arranged, special trains usually being provided for the conveyance of the Unit to and from Morphettville. A certain amount of amusement was supplied within the camp on several occasions by concert parties.

During the whole period of training, equipment and clothing were gradually issued and they were fitted out for departure, signing for every article received and having numerous inspections to ascertain what shortages existed. The health of the men also received continuous attention, vaccination and two inoculations being administered in the early days, while dental inspections and subsequent treatment rectified any defects of the mouth.

The first week of June was spent in final preparations to embark on the 9th of June, the quartermasters and clerical departments being the most busily engaged. A final pay was drawn and as much leave as possible granted and by the 8th all preparations for embarkation had been completed, and the transport section had left for the Outer Harbour.

Dawn of June 9th was breaking behind the Mount Lofty Ranges when reveille sounded, rousing the whole camp to the activities of final preparations for departure, including the handing in of camp equipment and stores.

At 9.40am the first train, bearing Headquarters and A and B Companies, including James, left Morphettville Station followed half-an-hour later by a second train with the remainder of the Battalion.
On reaching Port Adelaide the train proceeded by the old route down St. Vincent Street, where a large and enthusiastic crowd assembled to bid farewell to the unit. An hour later the Outer Harbour was reached and there followed a rapid embarkation on board their transport, HMAT A19 Afric.

James embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric at 2pm on the 9th of June 1916 and James now realised that this was the commencement of the long, long trail, the end of which none could foretell.

The journey through The Bight was cold and rough, causing sickness to 70 per cent of the men. Land was first sighted at daybreak of the 13th of June and after passing through King George Sound they anchored in Albany Harbour at 11.30 am, when coaling immediately commenced.
The next day the boat drew alongside the wharf, and all were allowed ashore for a few hours.
At noon the same day the journey was resumed and soon the shores of James’s homeland receded from view.
That night it was learnt that the next port of call would be Colombo. As the result of a long period of calm weather that followed the departure from Albany, it was possible to conduct training, consisting of musketry, physical exercises, bayonet fighting, and boat drill, limited in extent by the small area of deck space available.

As the tropics were approached, permission to sleep on deck was granted, and a large majority, including James availed themselves of the privilege. By day a minimum amount of clothing was worn, the heavier uniform being abandoned for the lighter and more comfortable suit of dungarees.

Early on the morning of June 26th the island of Ceylon was sighted and by 10 a.m. the transport anchored in the harbour of Colombo. Coal barges were soon drawn along side the boat and coaling operations, conducted by the natives, commenced.
That afternoon they were taken ashore on lighters and marched to the military barracks in Colombo. There a wet canteen was placed at the disposal of the troops and native vendors of views, fruit, etc., offered their goods. As this was the first opportunity for some weeks of purchasing articles from other than the ship's canteen a brisk business resulted.

The following day the journey resumed at 3.45 p.m.
The voyage to Suez differed very little from the previous fortnight, except that during the four days in the Red Sea extreme heat was experienced, causing exhaustion to several of the stokers, whose work was undertaken for two days by volunteers from the troops.
By noon of July 11th Suez was reached and all preparations for disembarkation were completed.

Orders were, however, received from the military authorities that the journey was to be continued through the Mediterranean and at 4pm an entrance was made into the Canal, the interesting surroundings of which attracted attention for sixteen hours. Along the bank were encamped Australian and English troops, who formed a portion of the Canal Garrison. An opportunity to converse with some of these was afforded by the boat being delayed for an hour at Ismalia.

By 8.30 am on the 12th the Canal was cleared and entry made into Port Said, where a transport conveying English troops southward was passed. Natives were again employed in coaling, which caused much inconvenience to those on board, as no leave ashore was granted. Numerous hawkers in small dinghies visited the boat, but not being allowed on deck were obliged to transact their sales by means of rope and basket.
Here an A 4.7 naval gun was mounted aft and manned by Royal Navy gunners and on departure at 2pm on the 13th, H.M. destroyer "Telmar," which had seen service with the Australians on Gallipoli, acted as their escort. These protective measures against submarines were augmented by the pre cautions of constant changes of course, screening of lights, and increase of sentries, whose duty was the outlook for enemy craft.

On passing Malta, the "Telmar" was relieved by a larger destroyer, but before departing semaphored "Australians, good-bye and good luck," on receipt of which cheers were interchanged between transport and escort. Daily routine on board continued until Marseilles was approached on the evening of July 19th, when at 10 pm the pilot was taken aboard, but the harbour was not entered until eight o'clock the next morning. This ended a six weeks successful journey on the "Afric".

At 3 pm on July 20th they disembarked and moved to Arran-Point Station, where they immediately entrained and at 5.35 pm left for Havre.
The journey through Southern France was most interesting, new types of villages, cultivation, and railway organisation being introduced. The scenery, especially that of the Rhone Valley, was superb, and the bright mid summer day showed the surroundings at their best.

A halt was made near Avignon, where hot tea and rations were issued, and on resumption of the journey the troops quickly settled down for the night. At 8 am on the 21st the train passed through Lyons, and at 3.45 pm Dijon was reached, and the French Red Cross workers served tea and cake to the Battalion.
Breakfast next morning was partaken of thirteen miles from Paris, Juvisy, from which, after a halt of two hours, the journey continued through Versailles, along the Seine Valley to Nantes, where a break was made for another meal, thence to Rouen and Havre.

Here the Battalion detrained and marched to a Rest Camp, where most of the men spent a cold night on cobbles. The following afternoon embarkation for England took place, and at dusk the Channel transport commenced its six-hour journey, reaching Southampton at daybreak and they disembarked at 7.30 am.
After two hours waiting on the wharf they were entrained for Amesbury Station on Salisbury Plain, where the Battalion detrained.
An hour later Lark Hill was reached and the whole afternoon devoted to settling down in No.12 Camp. This was the training area for the 43rd Battalion prior to its departure for the front.
The first few days were spent in settling down in this new camp, which was one of about fifty of similar design located at Lark Hill, most of which were so fitted as to accommodate a complete battalion.

They spent the next few months here in training and towards the end of November, when they had been fully equipped for overseas, a divisional march, covering a distance of eighteen miles, was accomplished, the full issue of clothing and equipment, less blankets, being carried, the day proving most strenuous on account of the oppressive heat.

During the first three weeks of November final preparations and issue of equipment for the trip overseas were completed, and the dates of departure of the Division were expected to cover the last week of November 1916, the 43rd Battalion eventually sailing on the 25th, prior to which the camp was thoroughly cleaned and the bulk of stores returned.

The early morning of November 25th was a repetition of June 9th. For the purpose of the move the Battalion was divided into three parties, leaving Lark Hill Camp in time to entrain at Amesbury Station by 7.15am. The weight of equipment carried by each man was far in excess of that borne on any previous march, as in addition to full marching order, two blankets, 150 rounds of ammunition, with steel and gas helmets, made a burden in all cases exceeding 80 lb.
At dusk the trip across the Channel commenced and a heavy sea was experienced, causing sea sickness to many on board, while a bleak wind with frequent showers of hail made the entry into the harbour at Le Havre and the period of waiting intensely cold.

Disembarkation and unloading commenced at 11am and during the afternoon there followed the memorable route march to No.1 Rest Camp, situated on a hill about three miles from the wharf. Here they remained for the night, leaving at 6.30am next morning for the railway yards, where a troop train, consisting chiefly of cattle trucks, was waiting, and at 11.30am they left for Bailleul.
The journey, via Rouen, Abbeville, Boulogne, Calais, and St. Omer, occupied thirty hours, halts being made en route for the issue of rations and hot drinks.
Detraining was completed before dark, but by the time the unit moved from the station night had set in. For the march to billets, packs and blankets were carried by motor lorry.
Locating these billets caused great difficulty, owing to the lack of information and absence of guides, and it was not until after 10pm that they were settled for the night.

On December 23rd, in a high wind and through heavy rain, a march to new billets in Armentieres was carried out. They, with the 44th Battalion, formed support to the 41st and 42nd Battalions.

The following day James became very ill, suffering from Mumps and was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance, transferred to the 11th Dressing Station and then admitted into the 7th General Hospital in St Omer.
James spent Christmas 1916 here and after nearly 3 weeks he rejoined his Battalion on the 17th of January at Armentieres.

They spent February in and out of the front line and whilst in billets the raiding school continued training in bayonet fighting, physical exercises, patrolling, study of aeroplane photographs and practice of raiding formations on dummy trenches.

By the 6th of April they had moved to OostHove Farm, where they were detailed for working parties.
It was here on the 16th of April that James suffered from Balanitis and was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance and then transferred to Divisional Rest Camp.

He then rejoined his Battalion on the 23rd at Ploegsteert Wood.
On the 1st of May they left Armentieres and joined the remainder of the Brigade at Les Trois Tilleuls, proceeding through Steenwerck and Vieux Berquin to Petit See Bois. The following day they moved through Pradelles, Borre, and Hazebrouck to billets at Ebblinghem.

After 2 weeks here they commenced their journey back to Armentiers and by the 7th of June had moved to Messines and took part in the Battle.
Throughout the whole time in this area enemy aircraft proved exceptionally active, especially in the early morning, when low-flying planes engaged trenches and movement with machine gun fire.
The famous Red Circus, commanded by Baron von Richthoven, was stationed in the area and was a constant source of worry to both infantry and artillery.

As casualties were caused daily, chiefly from shell fire, and the strain of sitting under continuous bombardments told on the nerves of everybody, the relief by the 41st Battalion on July 5th, and the return to the somewhat quieter support area on the banks of the Douve, was truly welcome.

They then moved into the Warneton area and their objective was Windmill Post which over looked the low ground east of Messines and consisted of the remains of an old French mill, surrounded by tall trees and hedges, situated on Warneton-Gapaard Road.
After this they moved to a camp near Neuve Eglise for training and then moved to the north side of the Douve River on the 30th of July.
The following day they moved into the front line and it was here that James suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his left foot.

He was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted into the 54th General Hospital in Wimereux the following day.
James was invalided back to England on board HS St Patrick on the 3rd of August and admitted into Napsbury Hospital in Middlesex.
He spent 7 days here before being transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield on the 11th.
Six days later he was granted 2 weeks furlough and then reported to No.3 Command Depot in Hurdcott on the 31st.

He was then posted to the Overseas Training Brigade in Perham Downs on the 8th of September and after 4 weeks here he proceeded back to France on the 9th of October.
James rejoined his Battalion on the 23rd at Arvoult in training.
They then moved into the Steenwerck area by mid November and moved into camp at Canteen Corner for more training.

On the 20th of December they moved to billets at Erquinghem and spent Christmas 1917 here before moving into the front line at Bois Grenier the following day.
They were relieved on the 21st of January 1918 and moved back to Erquinghem.
Five day later James suffered from a very swollen ankle and was admitted into the 11th Australian Field Ambulance and then transferred to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 2nd of February.

He was then transferred to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station and then to the 9th General Hospital in St Omer on the 10th of April.
Six days later he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport where he remained until the 10th of May when he was discharged to the Convalescent Depot.

James rejoined his Battalion on the 1st of June, in the reserve trenches at Villers-Bretonneux.
By the end of June they had moved to Hill 86 and were then relieved on the 27th, moving to the Allonville area the next day to consolidate for the Battle of Hamel.

As the Brigade had not previously worked with tanks, practices were given in advancing with them at their training ground near Vaux en Amenois, where they gained an insight into their tactics and methods of advance.
They then moved into the Hamel area and at two minutes past three on the morning of the 4th of July, light harassing fire was opened, with the object of assisting the aircraft in drowning the noise of approaching tanks, and eight minutes later an intense barrage fire opened, under cover of which the attack commenced.
In two hours, all objectives were obtained, and 1,400 German prisoners were captured, as well as many weapons.

By the 1st of August they had moved to Vaire-sous-Corbie and then on the 12th of August they advanced to capture Mericourt.
It was during this that James suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his left arm and was admitted into the 53rd Field Ambulance and then to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station at Vecquemont.
The following day he was transferred by the 21st Ambulance Train to the 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport.

A few days later James was transferred to the Convalescent Depot and then on the 14th of September he was discharged to Base Depot.
Then on the 10th of October he was granted 2 weeks leave to England and rejoined his Battalion at Vergies on the 27th.
It was whilst they were here that the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918, the Battalion being engaged in firing on the open range on the eventful day, but received no definite information of the cessation of hostilities until the arrival of the daily papers the following day and a holiday being given next day to celebrate the occasion.

From then onwards the hours of training were diminished and combined with the educational scheme that had been instituted for the purpose of preparing the soldiers for their civil occupations, these classes growing until they formed the chief work of the Battalion, embracing practically all branches of trades and professions, either within the unit, at Corps Schools in France, or private enterprises in England.

They then moved onto Ramburelles and extensive improvements were carried out to permit the greatest possible comfort during the tedious months of waiting for return to Australia.
On the arrival at Ramburelles the inhabitants exhibited a general hostile attitude towards the Battalion and were unwilling to assist in any way towards the comfort of the men.

Christmas 1918 was held in the marquee they erected on the village reserve, the meal consisting of turkey, ham, vegetables, plum pudding, wine and beer.
Then on the 6th of January 1919 James was transferred for some civil work before rejoining his Battalion on the 20th of February.

James embarked for England on the 7th of April and was allocated to Group 3 whilst awaiting embarkation home to Australia.
James embarked on the 20th of May 1919 on board HT Nestor and disembarked in Adelaide on the 29th of June.

James was discharged from the AIF on the 14th of August 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.