HURREY, James Steadman
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 March 1915, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Herberton, Queensland, 30 October 1884 |
| Home Town: | Camberwell, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne University (Mining Engineering) |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Brisbane, Queensland, 14 March 1965, aged 80 years |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Mar 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Apr 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 17 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 29 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 16 Aug 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion, See NAA record pg 45 | |
| 1 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 8th Infantry Battalion, See NAA record pgs 45-47 | |
| 28 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 8th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , Remained on duty | |
| 6 Oct 1916: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Battle for Pozières , He was originally recommended for a Military Cross - Not awarded | |
| 7 Mar 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 8th Infantry Battalion, Medically unfit - Chronic Bronchitis |
Relationship JS Hurrey with Gerald Evans
Capt James Hurrey was 2nd Lieut Gerald Evans (later Capt Gerald Evans, MC, MiD) Company commanding officer in the 8th Battalion. Both Gerald and Hurrey were wounded but remained at their post during the first part of taking of Pozieres. Some of the details of this action are contained in a letter to my great Grandfather, John Evans after Gerald DOW 20/9/1917 (3rd Ypres). It is clear that Gerald was a significant support for Capt Hurrey at that engagement. Capt Hurrey also told my great grandfather (by phone?) that Gerald had saved his life twice. Gerald also had a high opinion of Capt Hurrey. His letter suggests he was well educated and a good bloke.
Details of the correspondence and other snippets of information are contained within the two attached documents.
Evan Evans
Submitted 6 June 2017 by Evan Evans
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
James was one of five children. His brother Herbert Grindell Hurrey also served (and was quite a good Aussie Rules playerhttps://alchetron.com/Herbert- Hurrey-1276958-W). James married Vera Isabel Young in 1909 and they had three children: Charles Grindell Hurrey (b 23-2-1912 – d , fought in WWII, VX249 in tanks) and Barbara Hurrey (b. 1920). James died in March 1965 in Victoria and was cremated 15 March. He is interred in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery. (Written by Lucy Hurrey, Qld, relation)
It should also be noted that Eileen Margret Hurrey was James and Vera's oldest daughter (b 20/08/1910 to d 18/04/2000). After Capt James Hurrey was discharged from the army he resumed work in engineering but led a rather itinerant life, spending much time in Queensland and eventually dying there. Queensland also was where James' two brothers, Percy and Herbert Hurrey (twins) lived. Unfortunately, James and his wife Vera became estranged at some stage after the war and before Vera's death in 1945.
Given Capt Hurrey’s description of Pozieres to John Evans (father Capt Gerald Evans) it is clear that these events had a marked impact on him, perhaps in line with PSTD? It would appear that, although James survived WWI he became victim of what Gunner Fincham foresaw: “When the war has gone on long enough we shall all be well trained soldiers and worthless citizens.” Quote from Gunner William Fincham, cited in ‘The Western Front Diaries’ by Jonathon King.
Captain Hurrey first Landed at Gallipoli on 29th May 1915.
**After his death, his ashes were brought down from Queensland and Interred at the Springvale Cemetery, uniting them with his wife Vera and eventually the rest of the family.
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